Nationalistic Congress Party president Sharad Pawar has expelled Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare from the party for “Anti-Party” activities along with eight other MLAs who joined hands with “rebel” Ajit Pawar. This decision came day after Ajit Pawar led a rebellion against the party and joined hands with Eknath Shinde led government on Sunday by taking oath as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra.
“Mr. Sunil Tatkare and Mr. Praful Patel have indulged in anti-party activities on 2 July 2023 in clear and absolute violation of Article 32 of the constitution of the Nationalistic Congress Party and as per the rules framed under Article 21(vi)(a) of the said constitution. Your actions of supporting Shri Ajit Pawar and the 8 (eight) other MLAs, who have sworn oath as Ministers in violation of the party’s direction and mandate, ex-facie amount to anti-party activities and that you deemed to have voluntarily left the membership of Nationalistic Congress Party.” read the letter
However, the two completely disregarded the developments, and shortly after they were kicked out of the party, Patel announced Sunil Tatkare’s selection as the state unit chief of the party. “I have assumed the position of NCP state president. I have put all party leaders in my good graces and have also convened a conference of all legislators and zilla parishad leaders.” stated Sunil Tatkare.
Insisting that Sharad Pawar will remain the party’s national president, Ajit Pawar stated that the decision was made “for the betterment of Maharashtra.” He added that Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad, who were chosen by Sharad Pawar to serve as state party president and leader of the opposition in the assembly, respectively, have been asked to be disqualified.
