- Pawar's determination to supporters: I will not let the symbol of the party be taken away at any cost

- Ajit did not get enough 36 MLAs to avoid anti-defection law, BJP has wiped out allies politically: Sharad Pawar warns

Mumbai: Ajit Pawar, who has joined the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance government under the leadership of Maharashtra NCP rebel Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis as deputy chief minister, was found to be ahead of party founder Sharad Pawar in terms of MLA support in the party today. NCP has 53 MLAs. Out of them, 32 MLAs attended the meeting held by Ajit group at Bandra MIT. However, Ajith needs 36 MLAs to avoid the anti-defection law. Against him Sharad Pawar in South Mumbai Y.B. 18 MLAs were present in the meeting held at Chavan Centre. Some MLAs are said to be still undecided and some MLAs may still change camps. Both the uncle-nephew attacked each other in parallel meetings. Ajit Pawar said that the time has come for Sharad Pawar to retire from politics. He blamed Sharad Pawar for losing the chance to become the Chief Minister of NCP in Maharashtra in 2004 as well. Ajith angrily said that Sharad Pawar himself has repeatedly tried to tie up with the BJP but every time he has been made a villain. Sharad Pawar, on the other hand, warned Ajit Pawar that he should remember that BJP destroys every ally.

Addressing his supporters at Bandra MIT, Ajit Pawar said that Sharad Pawar has now grown old. He should hand over the reins of the party to the new generation. He said that you are 83 years old, stop now and hand over the party to us. He reminded Sharad Pawar that even BJP has a rule of retirement age of 75 years. Due to this, a new generation has emerged in that party. Ajit Pawar said that NCP had got the opportunity of chief ministership more than once. But, Sharad Pawar wasted this opportunity. Sharad Pawar handed over the chief ministership to Congress even though NCP had more number of MLAs when it had earlier formed an alliance with Congress. Ajith claimed that all party MLAs are with him. He claimed that the MLAs present in the second meeting are also his supporters.

Refuting Sharad Pawar's decision to never join the BJP, Ajit Pawar said that Sharad Pawar himself has admitted that there have been several attempts to join the BJP. In 2014 also, Nitin Gadkari gave the formula of giving 14 seats to both Shiv Sena and NCP. But, later that thing collapsed. In 2017 too, there was an attempt at an alliance between NCP and BJP. But at the last minute, BJP decided not to give Shiv Sena a nod. It was Sharad Pawar who asked me to take oath in the BJP government in 2019. Meetings were held at the home of a prominent industrialist. Top leaders of NCP and BJP were present in it. Later Sharad Pawar left again. Ajith claimed that even when Eknath Shinde rebelled and reached Guwahati with MLAs, Sharad Pawar tried to ally with the BJP. Every time he has been involved in attempts to join the BJP but every time I have been declared the villain. I have been deputy chief minister five times but now I want to lead the state. Ajith said that today I have spoken very little. Will be forced to reveal more things in future. He appealed to Sharad to give up his stubbornness.

On the other hand, Sharad Pawar while addressing his supporters said that some time ago Prime Minister Narendram Odi called NCP a corrupt party. However, some of our own people have now merged with the BJP. If NCP is corrupt then why is BJP taking such corrupt party leaders with them.

He said that BJP claims to be Hindutva but in reality it is a separatist party. It creates discord among people.

Sharad Pawar, objecting to putting his photos in Ajit group meeting, said that those people know that they have nothing special except my photo.

A few days ago Ajit Pawar used to mock Chief Minister Eknath Shinde but now today he has joined him and is singing the praises of BJP. But, it must be remembered that every BJP ally has eventually faced political ruin. The same will happen to those who join BJP. BJP's policy is to continuously weaken its political allies. Parties including Akali Dal have already suffered this. BJP allies in Andhra, Telangana and Bihar have also fared badly.