INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: The NCP vs NCP cliffhanger escalated into a numbers game on Wednesday as Sharad Pawar and his now estranged nephew Ajit Pawar
held separate meetings in a show of strength.Also See: Maharashtra Politics LiveAjit Pawar, who split the Nationalist Congress Party to join
the Eknath Shinde-led NDA government as deputy chief minister along with 8 other party MLAs, seems to have the edge in the numbers game as
of now.Ajit needs the backing of 36 MLAs to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law
The Nationalist Congress Party has 53 MLAs in the Maharashtra assembly.Sharad Pawar, who was the architect of the opposition Maha Vikas
Aghadi alliance comprising the Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena, faces a tough battle to keep hold on the party he had
founded in 1999.He has not given up and has vowed to fight back to rebuild the party.Here's a look at the top developments of the day:Ajit
Pawar ahead in numbers gameAjit Pawar appeared to be ahead in number game with more NCP MLAs supporting him than his uncle and party
president Sharad Pawar.As many as 32 of the 53 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs attended the meeting called by the Ajit Pawar group,
while 18 MLAs were present at the conclave addressed by the NCP chief, sources in both factions said.Chhagan Bhujbal, who is a key leader in
the Ajit Pawar camp, claimed that more than 40 MLAs and MLCs are in their camp
"We have done all the due diligence before taking the oath
We did not take the oath just like that," he said."You are 83, aren't you going to stop?"Ajit Pawar took a swipe at his uncle urging him to
step down and give a chance to the new generation stating that even leaders of the BJP retire at the age of 75."You portrayed me as a
villain in front of everyone
I still have deep respect for him (Sharad Pawar)...But you tell me, IAS officers retire at 60...even in politics - BJP leaders retire at 75
You can see the example of LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi...That allows the new generation to rise...""You (Sharad Pawar) give us your
blessings...The other day, he went to YB Chavan memorial...I have also been there...but you are 83, aren't you going to stop?...Give us your
blessings and we will pray that you live a long life," said the Deputy chief minister while addressing party legislators and other workers
in Bandra here.Sharad Pawar objects to his photo at meeting convened by Ajit Pawar Sharad Pawar objected to his big photo adorning the stage
at a parallel meeting of the party convened by Ajit Pawar, and said those using his image are aware that they have nothing else.06:54Not
14 MLAs turn up for Sharad Pawar's meetingAccording to reports, 14 MLAs are present at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in south Mumbai where
Sharad Pawar is holding a meeting
NCP working president and MP, Supriya Sule, Anil Deshmukh and Jayant Patil are among the prominent leaders with the Sharad Pawar camp.'No
need to worry'Senior party leader Praful Patel, who is now backing Ajit Pawar, has claimed the support of the "bulk" of the party's
legislators and has said there was "no need to worry." Praful Patel was till now one of the most trusted aides of Sharad Pawar and was
recently made the working president of the party.Praful Patel has claimed that their faction is the real NCP.NCP factional war reaches
Election CommissionThe Ajit Pawar faction has approached the Election Commission with over 40 affidavits of MLAs and MPs in his support
The Sharad Pawar camp has filed a caveat with the poll authority urging it to hear them first before passing any directive in connection
The Election Commission is likely to process applications in the coming days and ask both the sides to exchange the respective documents
submitted before it.WatchPawar vs Pwar: Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar and NCP chief Sharad Pawar call party meeting on same day
