Ajit's 'keep NCP united' appeal to Sharad Pawar amid Opposition unity efforts

As several opposition parties make efforts to build unity amongst themselves, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar met uncle Sharad Pawar on July 17 and urged him to keep NCP united. This was Ajit's second meeting with the NCP supremo in as many days.

Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel, who was part of the meeting, said he and Ajit Pawar would attend the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting in Delhi on Tuesday.

"In today's meeting with Sharad Pawar, we again asked him to ensure that the NCP stays united," Patel said.

Those MLAs (of the Ajit Pawar faction) who could not meet Sharad Pawar during the meeting held on Sunday were present on this occasion, Patel told reporters.

However, Clyde Crasto, NCP national spokesperson, called the meeting a "failed attempt" and said "a lot of water has flown under the bridge of trust".

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"Yet another failed attempt by the breakaway NCP group (referring to Ajit Pawar faction) to show the people of Maharashtra that they can pacify Sharad Pawar Saheb," Crasto said.

"It will not make any difference because a lot of water has flown under the bridge of trust. What this group has done cannot be rectified now," Crasto, part of the Sharad Pawar faction, said.

On July 2, Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs, including Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil and Hasan Mushrif, had joined the Eknath Shinde government.

Ajit Pawar was made deputy chief minister, while the eight MLAs were sworn in as ministers.

On Sunday, the deputy CM and some ministers from his camp had met Sharad Pawar in YB Chavan Centre.

Talking to reporters after the meeting on Sunday, Praful Patel had said they made a request to Sharad Pawar to keep the party united.

The NCP founder listened to them quietly but didn't give any reaction, Patel had said.

He had added the group did not take Sharad Pawar's prior appointment but came to the Chavan centre directly after they came to know that he was present there.

With PTI inputs