The party founded by Sharad Pawar suffered a vertical split on Sunday after NCP leader Ajit Pawar and along with eight other MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government
Girish Mahajan. File Pic
Maharashtra minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Girish Mahajan on Monday said that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar was reaping what he had sown, reported the PTI.
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The party founded by Sharad Pawar suffered a vertical split on Sunday after NCP leader Ajit Pawar and along with eight other MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government. Ajit Pawar was made deputy chief minister, while the other eight were sworn in as ministers.
According to the news agency, while speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Girish Mahajan said, "I heard Sharad Pawar describing it (Sunday's developments) as something that demeaned democratic procedures. He called it anti-democratic."
"He cannot have double standards. He is reaping what he has sown. When he does such things then it is democratic. His MLAs, including Ajit Pawar, have left him. We wish him luck for his statewide tour," Girish Mahajan added.
Girish Mahajan referred to Sharad Pawar toppling the Vasantdada Patil government in the state in 1978.
Queried on portfolio distribution after the joining of the NCP faction, Mahajan said it was the prerogative of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
"Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, (Chhagan) Bhujbal and other leaders met Fadnavis. They will discuss it and take a decision," he added.
Asked about the Congress taunting the BJP for levelling allegations of corruption against NCP leaders and then joining hands with them, Mahajan said levelling charges against each other is part of politics, adding that there is uncertainty in politics as well.
He denied allegations that the BJP was busy breaking the NCP while victims of Saturday's horrific bus accident on Samruddhi Expressway were being cremated.
"The cremation of the victims started around noon on Sunday. The swearing-in ceremony took place around 3 pm. I was personally there (Sindkhedraja) for two days and oversaw treatment of injured and handing over of bodies to kin," he claimed.
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar on Monday rejected speculation that his nephew Ajit Pawar's rebellion has his blessings.
Addressing a press conference here, Sharad Pawar said he has launched a statewide tour to strengthen the NCP and boost the confidence of party workers, unfazed by actions of a few leaders.
He also said the Congress was justified in claiming the post of Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly.
The NCP chief also said he doesn't do politics by harbouring malaise against anyone.
(with PTI inputs)
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