Pawar Vs Pawar battle: Show of strength by both NCP factions; fight may move to EC

New Delhi: The ‘chacha-bhatija’ battle over control of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is playing out in the open with both factions resorting to show to strength at different locations in Mumbai.

The party’s inner conflicts & rumblings over NCP’s aligning with Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena govt in Maharashtra turned into all-out war when Ajit Pawar led a mutiny against the party supremo. Now, the showdown has spilled on to streets and both factions of NCP are mobilizing legislators in their support.

Sharad Pawar is holding meeting of legislators & office-bearers at YB Chavan centre while Ajit Pawar’s supporters have assembled at MET Bhujbal Knowledge city. For claiming control over party, Ajit Pawar would need to bring at least 36 MLAs in his camp.

Amid the much public showdown, the fight now looks headed to the Election Commission. Both factions are likely to make their claim over party name & symbol before the poll panel.

Reports suggest that Ajit Pawar camp is likely to move EC for laying claim over party’s name & symbol. On the other hand, Sharad Pawar-led NCP is reported to have filed caveat before the poll panel to ‘hear its plea before taking any decision in earnest’.

The NCP saw a vertical split after Ajit Pawar broke away with the party along with 8 MLAs and took oath of office in Maharasthra government.

This was followed by a no-holds barred confrontation between the two sides, as both took to sacking drive and went to remove office-bearers while seeking disqualification of lawmakers, while claiming that they are the ‘real NCP’.

The turn-out of numbers, in form of MLAs, MLCs, party office-beaers & parliamentarians, at respective meetings led by Sharad Pawar & nephew Ajit Pawar will be the key decider of what is likely to come ahead.

As per latest reports, Ajit Pawar-camp has managed to cobble together 27 legislators so far while about 13-14 MLAs are said to have assembled at Pawar senior venue.