Maharashtra's NCP Rift: Speaker Receives 40 from Ajit, 9 from Sharad Faction

Maharashtra's NCP, divided between Ajit and Sharad Pawar factions, submitted responses to Speaker Rahul Narwekar regarding disqualification petitions. Ajit's group submitted 40, while Sharad's submitted 9 responses. The Election Commission acknowledges the split and directs document sharing between both factions.

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In the complex narrative of Maharashtra's NCP, Speaker Rahul Narwekar has been presented with a total of 49 responses from the warring factions of Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar concerning the disqualification pleas. This event unfolded in the aftermath of the fracture within the party earlier this year, when Ajit Pawar, along with eight NCP MLAs, transitioned from the opposition to the state government.

At the crux of this struggle lies the battle for the party's name and symbol, prompting both sides to initiate petitions seeking the disqualification of members allied with their rival faction. Insiders anticipate an imminent hearing on these petitions scheduled for the forthcoming week. Sources from the Vidhan Bhavan underscore the impending scrutiny of the extensive array of documents and responses furnished by both factions.

The NCP recognized as a cohesive unit in the Maharashtra Legislature, is concurrently embroiled in separate hearings at both the Election Commission and the Supreme Court. The Election Commission, having acknowledged the division within the party, mandated the sharing of documents between the conflicting groups. Moreover, the Commission issued a show-cause notice to Sharad Pawar's contingent following a petition filed by Ajit Pawar's faction.

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The heart of the matter revolves around the declaration of the NCP president and the allocation of the party's symbol, in accordance with the stipulations outlined in the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968. The looming hearings scheduled for the coming week are anticipated to bear significant weight in determining the course of action regarding the disqualification petitions filed by the NCP legislators.

This situation underscores the intricate nature of internal party dynamics and legal ramifications, signalling a critical phase for the Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra. The Speaker's desk is now laden with the weighty task of evaluating and deliberating upon these responses, a pivotal moment poised to shape the future trajectory of the NCP in the state's political landscape.