New Delhi: The political upheaval in Maharasthra, more specifically in Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), continues to roll out in public.
In the latest turn of events, two NCP stalwarts Praful Patel & Sunil Tatkare have been removed from the party with ‘immediate effect’.
The NCP supremo Sharad Pawar took to Twitter to announced the “removal of the names of Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel from the Register of Members of NCP Party for “anti-party activities”.
It is to be noted that Praful Patel & Supriya Sule were elevated as the National Working Presidents of NCP, when Sharad Pawar decided to step down from party chief.
The sacking of Praful Patel lays bare the deep crisis that the party has engulfed into.
Praful Patel, addressing a press conference with Ajit Pawar, said that they stand with Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra.
“It is our new beginning under the leadership of Ajit Pawar,” Praful Patel said.
Maharashtra | Sunil Tatkare appointed as new state president of Nationalist Congress Party, announces party leader Praful Patel. pic.twitter.com/GSgHl8zOIN
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2023
For the unversed, Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar took oath as Deputy Chief Minister on Sunday, along with 8 other MLAs. The faction claims to have support of over 40 legislators, out of its total strength of 53 in the Maharashtra Assembly.
The deep divide in NCP is reminiscent of the vertical divide that struck Shiv Sena earlier. Uddhav Thackeray- led Shiv Sena broke into two units last year, with Eknath Shinde leading much bigger faction of party MLAs with him and then forming the government in state, with support from the BJP.
