Defection on cards? over dozen MLAs from Ajit camp in touch with Sharad Pawar, says report

Cracks seem to be widening in the BJP-led Mayahuti alliance in Maharashtra following poor performance in the Lok Sabha election.

If reports are to be believed, more than a dozen MLAs from the Ajit Pawar camp are said to be in touch with Sharad Pawar camp.

Grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, Rohit, told the Times of India outlet that nearly 18 to 19 MLAs are interested in returning to the party.

Speaking on the development, NCP leader of the Sharad Pawar faction, Jayant Patil, said, “The usage of my phone has increased...I cannot give an answer today but I am telling you that things are different. The right decision is taken at the right time…"

The development comes as five of the NCP MLAs did not show up for a meeting chaired by Ajit on 6th of June.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday held a meeting of Nationalist Congress Party MLAs following his party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

The NCP won just one seat (Raigad) while it lost the prestige battle in Baramati, where NCP(SP) sitting MP Supriya Sule retained the constituency defeating Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra.

Ajit Pawar, who is NCP national president, party working president Praful Patel and state unit chief Sunil Tatkare, who retained Raigad seat, were present at the meeting.

Of the 41 MLAs in the party, some five were absent, PTI reported quoting sources, adding that deputy speaker Narhari Zirwal is abroad while others were unwell.

These sources said the leaders and MLAs discussed the prevailing political situation as well as the party's performance in the four Lok Sabha seats it contested in the state.