Earlier, NCP president Sharad Pawar sacked Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, both MPs who have sided with Ajit Pawar in his rebellion, from the party

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was present at a press meet, said he enjoyed the support of "maximum" NCP legislators and said he has given a letter to the Assembly Speaker, seeking disqualification of party MLAs Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad from the House

Ajit Pawar said the party and MLAs were with him and the notice for disqualification against him and the eight newly sworn-in ministers was meaningless

In other appointments announced by Praful Patel, Rupali Chakankar has been named chief of the NCP's state women's wing, while MLC Amol Mitkari and Anand Paranjpe will be spokespersons. Suraj Chavan has been appointed the party's youth wing president in Maharashtra

Praful Patel said Ajit Pawar will be the NCP's legislature party leader