Pawar sacks key aides, vows to fight back

Mumbai: In a bid to send out a clear message that the rebellion in the party did not have his 'silent blessings', Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Monday sacked party's working president Praful Patel and general secretary and treasurer Sunil Tatkare, who have sided with Ajit Pawar in his revolt, for engaging in "antiparty” activities.

The Ajit Pawar camp quickly hit back by removing state NCP president Jayant Patil and making new appointments.

The former Union agriculture minister, in a tweet, said, "I, as the National President, of Nationalist Congress Party hereby order the removal of the names of Shri Sunil Tatkare and Shri Praful Patel from the Register of Members of NCP Party for anti-party activities.”

Accusing them of facilitating and spearheading defections of nine MLAs without his k n o w l e d g e and consent, the senior Pawar, in his letter, said " Your action of supporting Shri Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs who have sworn oath as ministers in violation of the party's direction and mandate amounts to anti-party activities".

"I remove your names from the membership register of the party in view of your actions," Sharad Pawar said.

The party is initiating appropriate action for formal disqualification of Patel and Tatkare as MPs under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, the letter said.

The Ajit Pawar camp soon hit back by appointing Tatkare as the Maharashtra NCP president in place of Jayant Patil. It also asked the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker to disqualify Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad from membership of the House. A

sked whether he will expel anybody from the party, including NCP working president and his cousin Sule, Ajit Pawar shot back, "We are not here to expel anybody."

The deputy CM said he had the party with him and also its symbol (clock). Asked who was the NCP's national head, Ajit Pawar said, "The party national president is Sharad Pawar. Have you forgotten?" The deputy CM scoffed at notice of disqualification against him and eight ministers and also sacking of Patel and Tatkare as well as office-bearers who attended Sunday's oath taking ceremony.

Undeterred NCP supremo stresses need to fight communal forces

Addressing a press conference in western Maharashtra's Satara district, Sharad Pawar said he has launched a statewide tour to strengthen the NCP and boost the confidence of its workers, unfazed by actions of a few leaders. Separately addressing NCP workers and supporters, the 82-year-old politician maintained there was a need to fight forces creating a communal divide in Maharashtra and the country. (PTI)