Deja Vu: After 2019, now 2023 Ajit Pawar led political coup again

Jul 02, 2023

Mumbai, July 02 (ANI): Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar joined NDA government in Maharashtra on July 02. He took oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in presence of CM Eknath Shinde, Dy CM Fadnavis. In the major political coup, a total of 9 NCP leaders also took oath as Maharashtra ministers. Deputy CM Pawar has backing of 40 NCP MLAs & 6 NCP MLCs, said Sources. However, it’s not the first time Ajit Pawar has shocked his party with a surprise move. In 2019, amid political turmoil, Ajit took oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra aligning with BJP. However, the alliance didn’t last long and the ‘short-term’ govt was replaced by Uddhav Thackeray in matter of days. Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Shinde affirmed that the double-engine govt has now become triple engine. According to sources, some MLAs supporting Ajit Pawar were “upset” with Sharad Pawar’s decision. NCP leaders opposed Sharad Pawar’s unilateral decision to share stage with Rahul Gandhi in Patna opposition meet, sources added.