Sunil Tatkare says NCP-led by Ajit Pawar firm on alliance with NDA, await verdict on disqualification pleas

Sunil Tatkare/ File Photo

Hours before Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar's anticipated verdict on the petitions filed by rival factions within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the group led by Ajit Pawar reaffirmed its commitment to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The impending decision follows a split within the NCP last July when Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs aligned with the state government under the Shiv Sena and BJP coalition, sparking a series of cross-petitions, reported PTI.

News agency PTI reported that Speaker Narwekar is scheduled to rule on the disqualification petitions filed by the warring NCP factions on Thursday, as directed by the Supreme Court. Sunil Tatkare of the NCP (Ajit Pawar group) told a regional news channel that they will stick to their choice to join the NDA, which they attributed to Ajit Pawar's leadership. Tatkare expressed hope for a positive outcome from the Speaker's decision.

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"There is no turning back from our decision to join the NDA. The decision was taken by our leader and state Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. We are hopeful that the speaker will give his verdict in our favour," Tatkare said.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently assigned the party name 'NCP' and the symbol 'clock' to the Ajit Pawar-led side, while 'Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar' was designated for the group led by Sharad Pawar. Tatkare revealed that certain members of the Sharad Pawar-led faction are considering switching allegiance, with talks already underway between them and Ajit Pawar's party.

"Some of them are in touch with me, while others are in contact with Ajit Pawar. We are not opposed to inducting anyone from that side into our party ahead of the elections," he said, per the PTI report.

Tatkare touted the backing of 43 out of 53 MLAs as evidence of their leadership's widespread acceptance among diverse elements of society. He said, "It is evident that our leadership is widely accepted among the people, as demonstrated by the support of 43 out of 53 MLAs."

However, the NCP (Sharad Pawar) rejected speculation of a merger with other political bodies, reaffirming their independence in the midst of continuing political dynamics in Maharashtra.