The senior Pawar’s silence has raised eyebrows, with the rank and file wondering what he plans next. Sources say Sharad Pawar is waiting for the outcome of the proceedings before the Election Commission of India (ECI), where Ajit Pawar has filed a petition seeking to be declared the NCP president and staked a claim to the party’s name and symbol. The ECI has sent Sharad Pawar a notice and sought his response.
A few days ago, Jayant Patil had told TOI that the dinner hosted by him was attended by 21 legislators, while Praful Patel had claimed that Ajit Pawar has affidavits of 42 legislators in his support.
“If Ajit Pawar has the support of 42 legislators, he must parade them before the media, as was done by Eknath Shinde. In that event, we will parade our 21 legislators before the press,” a senior NCP leader said.
“Ajit Pawar will require the support of 36 legislators, two-third of the total strength of NCP, to escape the clutches of the anti-defection law. If he fails to secure the support of 36 legislators, then the fate of his legislators hangs in balance,” the NCP leader said.
On Friday, MPCC president Nana Patole and former chief minister Prithrivaj Chavan called on Sharad Pawar. They discussed the forthcoming meeting of INDIA in the first week of September, but there was no discussion on Ajit Pawar’s revolt. “We feel that he is not in a mood to fight back. He appears to be disheartened over the banner of revolt raised by his own nephew,” a senior Congress leader, who was present at the meeting, told TOI.
“We were expecting Sharad Pawar to speak at the INDIA meeting in Bengaluru. We have been told despite AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s repeated requests, Sharad Pawar did not oblige him,’’ the Congress leader said.
NCP leaders refused to comment on the crisis in the party while the Congress leader said Sharad Pawar has seen several ups and downs in his political career spread over nearly six decades, he will hit back at an appropriate time.
“Currently, he is lying low, but the day is not far off when he will rise again. A few decades ago, more than 50 legislators had deserted him. In the subsequent elections, most of the defectors were defeated, then Pawar was back with his original strength,” he said.
