NCP split: Ajit Pawar heaps praise on PM Modi after joining BJP-Sena govt in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and asserted there is no alternative to him, while the rival NCP factions geared up for crucial meetings post-split in what is likely to be a show of strength by them.

Three days after switching over to the ruling camp from the Opposition along with eight other NCP MLAs, Ajit Pawar was effusive in his praise of Modi as he inaugurated his faction’s new office in south Mumbai.

“The country is marching ahead under his (Modi’s) leadership. We have joined the government to support him. There is no leader like Modi. There is no alternative to him,” he said.

Ajit Pawar indicated the allocation of portfolios for the new entrants in the state ministry may not be announced immediately.

He attributed the delay to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis leaving for Nagpur to welcome President Droupadi Murmu.

“We all have decided to work together. There is no question of disgruntlement,” he said, when asked if some members in the Shinde group are unhappy over his inclusion in the ministry.