Ajit Pawar's supporters swung into action to retaliate opposition protests

Plan to hold meeting, start signature campaign in Ajit's support

A group of NCP legislators and supporters of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar plan to hold a meeting on Monday, and simultaneously launch signature campaign expressing faith and confidence in the latter’s leadership. This is to counter opposition’s protests in and outside the legislature against Ajit’s remarks on April 6 that should the dams be filled by urinating them when there is no water or many children are born during load shedding as there is no other work.

Vilas Lande, an independent legislator from Pune district who is supporting the ruling NCP in the state legislature, has taken a lead to launch signature campaign in support of Ajit and also organise meeting on Monday.

Lande told Business Standard,  “There is no question of Ahit Pawar’s resignation. He has already apologised for his remarks made at the public meeting last week. We will oppose any move in this regard by our leader. Similarly, we expect opposition parties not to further politicise the issue and let the proceedings restart in the state legislature.”

Lande, who has already contacted several NCP legislators, said Ajit Pawar is being targeted by opposition to gain political mileage. “However, opposition stooped to low level during recent protests and we will not further tolerate this. Ajit Pawar is our leader and continue to be leader in future too,” he added. Lande said he along with a couple of other legislators have sought appointment with the NCP chief and union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar to plead their case.

There are in all 62 NCP legislators from state assembly, 28 from the state council and about 12 independent legislators are supporting the party.

Ajit supporters' move come at a time when the NCP had not held any official meeting with the ministers and legislators to deliberate the future course of action.

Meanwhile, NCP’s 28 legislators have already submitted letter to Ajit Pawar reiterating their support. NCP legislator Vinayak Mete confirmed that in the letter they have said that Ajit Pawar is their source of inspiration and will continue to have faith in his leadership.

Madhukar Pichad, president, Maharashtra NCP unit ruled out Ajit Pawar’s resignation. On Friday, Pichad held talks with Pawar senior on the present political condition arisen in the wake of Ajit Pawar’s remarks and the subsequent protests by opposition.

“Ajit Pawar has already tendered an apology. As far as NCP is concerned the issue is over and the party will get on to the job,” he noted.