Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, and several of his associates were sworn in as deputy chief minister and ministers, respectively, on Sunday, making it four oath-taking ceremonies at Maharashtra's opulent Raj Bhavan in as many years.

"He mentioned irrigation complaint and allegations of corruption. I am happy that some of my colleagues have taken oath. From this (joining the NDA government) it is clear that all the charges have been cleared. I am thankful to him," the NCP chief said.

Former NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Sunday (July 2) joined the NDA in Maharashtra and took oath as deputy Chief Minister in the presence ofChief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

On Sunday, Ajit Pawar took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. A total of 9 NCP leaders took oath as Maharashtra ministers after Ajit Pawar and other party leaders joined the NDA government in Maharashtra.

This development comes after Pawar's meeting with some party leaders and MLAs at his official residence in Mumbai. The meeting assumed significance in the wake of Pawar recent comments stating that he was not keen on continuing as the LoP and wanted to work in the party organisation.

Sharad Pawar said: "Even though I am continuing in the post of President, I am of the clear opinion that there has to be a succession plan for any post or responsibility in the organization. In future, I will focus on making organizational changes in the party, assigning new responsibilities, and creating new leadership."

Veteran leader Sharad Pawar has yet to make a final decision on pleas to quit, but his Nationalist Congress Party is preparing a successor just in case. Sharad Pawar resigned unexpectedly on Tuesday, amid suspicion over Ajit Pawar's developing ties to the BJP.

"Pawar did not take anyone into confidence before announcing his resignation," Praful Patel said. Speaking at the book launch, Pawar said his political journey began on May 1, 1960, and has continued without a break for the past 63 years with him serving Maharashtra and India in various capacities.

Amid rumours that he is cosying up with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ajit Pawar on Friday said he would "100 percent like to be the chief minister" of Maharashtra and that the NCP can stake a claim to the CM's post now also instead of waiting for 2024, when the Assembly polls are due in the state.

"The NCP is a party which betrays. We will not be with the NCP even in power. If the BJP takes NCP with them, Maharashtra will not like it. We decided to move out (of the earlier undivided Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray) because people didn't like us going with the Congress and NCP," Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsatsaid.