Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar's defection triggers political crisis, parties react
What's the story
Maharashtra witnessed yet another political shocker on Sunday after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government in the state.
While the ruling coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has termed it a "boost for PM Narendra Modi's development works," the Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed Pawar's move indicated that CM Shinde's future was in jeopardy.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The development comes days after Pawar decided to step down as Maharashtra Assembly's Leader of the Opposition.
This is for the third time since 2019 that he was sworn in as Maharashtra's deputy CM.
Notably, in 2019, Pawar quietly left the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, joining hands with the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis to form a government that lasted for only 72 hours.
Shiv Sena
Pawar's entry means Shinde's future in jeopardy: Sanjay Raut
Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that Pawar's move indicated that Shinde's future was in danger.
He said that taking support from Pawar and his supporters despite having close to 170 MLAs showed the Shinde government was scared of losing power.
Raut claimed Shinde would lose the CM's chair as he and his supporters would soon be disqualified.
Twitter Post
'Let them have their way': Raut's jibe at defection move
महाराष्ट्राच्या राजकारणाचे साफ मातेरे करण्याचां विडा काही लोकांनी उचलला आहे.त्यांना त्यांच्या मार्गाने जाऊ द्या.
— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) July 2, 2023
माझे आताच श्री.शरद पवार यांच्याशी बोलणे झाले.ते म्हणाले" मी खंबीर आहे.लोकांचा पाठिंबा आपल्याला आहे. उद्धव ठाकरें सह पुन्हा सर्व नव्याने उभे करू.". होय,जनता हे खेळ फार… pic.twitter.com/fsBbIZGoFE
AAP
AAP calls PM Modi 'biggest patron of corruption'
On the other hand, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Spokesperson, Sanjay Singh, slammed PM Modi on Sunday by calling him the "biggest patron of corruption" after Pawar and eight other MLAs joined the Shinde-led Maharashtra government.
Reacting to the development, the AAP leader said the prime minister promised to take action against corruption but appointed a leader like Pawar as the Maharashtra deputy CM.
Eknath Shinde
Maharashtra has 'triple engine' government now: Shinde
Soon after the NCP's Pawar and eight MLAs were sworn into his cabinet, however, Shinde said, "Now, Maharashtra has a 'triple engine' sarkar. Our people's government will operate at the speed of a bullet train."
"We are united on the platform of state development. Our government now comprises one chief minister and two deputy chief ministers. Ajit Pawar supported our development goals," he added.
Quote
'Boost to PM Modi's development work': BJP
Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated, "All those joining us are welcome." He added, "This will give a boost to PM Narendra Modi and the state government's development work in the state."
Twitter Post
Masterstroke by Sharad Pawar, says Raj Thackeray
आज महाराष्ट्राचा सिंहासन सिनेमातील शेवटच्या दृश्यातील ‘दिगू टिपणीस’ झाला .
— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) July 2, 2023
उद्धव ठाकरेंचं ओझं शरद पवारांना उतरवायचं होतं, त्याचा पहिला अंक आज पार पडला. पवारांची (राष्ट्रवादीची) पहिली टीम सत्तेच्या दिशेने रवाना झाली, यथावकाश दुसरी पण सत्तेच्या सोपानासाठी रुजू होईलच !
तसंही…
History
Pawar is an old political stuntman
Interestingly, Pawar, NCP chief Sharad Pawar's nephew, is known for pulling off such political stunts, much like Shinde's June 2022 move.
He rebelled against the MVA in 2019 and became the deputy CM in the then-Fadnavis-led BJP government, which was dissolved before the floor test.
In April 2023, too, Pawar and seven party MLAs reportedly went missing triggering speculation they may join the BJP.
About
Know about 2022 crisis that toppled MVA government
In June 2022, a faction of Shiv Sena MLAs led by then-cabinet minister Shinde revolted against Uddhav Thackeray's administration, which led to the collapse of the MVA government in the state.
The dissident MLAs subsequently joined hands with the BJP and formed a government led by Shinde.
At the time, Pawar blamed Thackeray for this, saying, "Some people remained inattentive instead of showing urgency."