NCP Seeks Disqualification of Ajit Pawar & 8 Other MLAs

Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) approached the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, with a petition urging the disqualification of Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs. These MLAs and Ajit Pawar have taken oath as ministers in the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government.

Jitendra Awhad, the newly appointed leader of the opposition by the NCP after Ajit Pawar’s defection, handed over the petition at Narwekar’s residence late Sunday night.

According to NDTV, Ajit Pawar convened a meeting of his supporters at his residence this morning.

Maharashtra NCP president Jayant Patil on Sunday said his party has moved the disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs. An e-mail has also been sent to the Election Commission of India informing that the rank and file of the NCP is with party chief Sharad Pawar, Patil added.

NCP was formed by Sharad Pawar in 1999. On Sunday, his nephew Ajit Pawar left NCP to join the Shiv Sena-BJP government as deputy chief minister.

Eight other NCP MLAs, including Chhagan Bhujbal, were made ministers.