In a surprising turn of events, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLC Eknath Khadse has come forward to reveal that he was approached by a loyalist of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, urging him to join their faction. However, Khadse staunchly declined the offer, expressing his unwavering loyalty to NCP’s founding leader, Sharad Pawar.
“I had received a call from NCP MLC Amol Mitkari on behalf of Ajit Pawar, asking me to align with his faction. I told him unequivocally that my allegiance lies with Sharad Pawar, and I will not forsake him,” Khadse conveyed firmly to reporters.
Khadse, a former minister, parted ways with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on less than amicable terms in 2020, thus concluding his nearly four-decade association with the party. Subsequently, he joined the NCP and was successfully elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Commenting on the matter, Girish Mahajan, a senior BJP leader and Khadse’s political rival hailing from Jalgaon district, remarked, “I have come to know that Khadse was considering an alliance with Ajit Pawar’s faction, but I would advise him not to abandon Sharad Pawar. He should remain aligned with the senior Pawar.” The political landscape in Maharashtra had witnessed a seismic shift earlier this year when Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs chose to join the Shiv Sena-BJP government. This move set off a fierce turf war between Ajit Pawar and the NCP’s founder, Sharad Pawar. Both factions adamantly maintain that the party has not split and continue to assert that they represent the authentic NCP.
