Coup in NCP? Maha buzz over Ajit Pawar-led split in party

A coup is reportedly underway in the Nationalist Congress Party with Ajit Pawar believed to have cobbled up the support of around 40 party MLAs to break rank and switch over to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Maharashtra Speaker has reportedly cut short his trip to Japan and is reported to be on his way back. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Ajit Pawar will brief the media later in the day.

Officially, the NCP has denied any such rebellion by Ajit Pawar. Party supremo Sharad Pawar said, "Ajit Pawar is busy with election-related work. All this talk is only in the media."

However, the party has been unable to quell the speculations with party MLAs being quoted by news channels as saying that they will endorse any decision taken by Ajit Pawar.

On Monday, two NCP MLAs made it clear that they will remain loyal to Ajit no matter what "decision" he takes in the coming days. One of the legislators, Manikrao Kokate, most of the NCP MLAs (numbering 53) will go with him if the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly joins hands with the BJP.

Speculation about Ajit Pawar's next political move started swirling when last week he made comments which were seen as being soft on the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's camp and suddenly cancelled his scheduled meetings. The BJP is part of the Shinde government.
     
Earlier this month, the former deputy CM had said that inflation and jobs for youth were more important issues than PM Narendra Modi's academic degrees credited PM's 'charisma' for the BJP's victory in 2014.

The two NCP MLAs -- Anna Bansode (Pune district) and Manikrao Kokate (Nashik district) --- while speaking to regional news channel TV9 Marathi, said they would stick with Ajit Pawar whatever "decision" he takes in the next few days.

Bansode said, When Ajit Pawar had tried to form a government with the BJP in November 2019 (Devendra Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar government had lasted for 3 days), I had expressed my full support to Pawar. I am still loyal to him and extend my full support to whatever decision he may take in the future.