BJP Leader Calls for Ajit Pawar's Removal from Maharashtra Alliance, NCP Reacts

A BJP office-bearer from Shirur in Maharashtra's Pune district has called for the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his NCP from the ruling alliance. This alliance also includes Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. A video of Sudarshan Choudhary, the BJP's Shirur tehsil vice president, making this demand at a recent party meeting has gone viral. This led to a backlash from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), whose workers confronted him on Thursday and demanded an apology.

Choudhary suggested to the BJP leadership in the video, "It is a suggestion to you. Listen to what party workers are thinking. If you really want to make a decision, remove Ajit Pawar from the Mahayuti ruling alliance." He further mentioned that senior leaders like Subhash Deshmukh, Rahul Kulkarni, and Yogesh Tilekar could have been appointed as ministers or heads of state-run corporations if Pawar was not part of the ruling dispensation.

Backlash from NCP Workers

Several NCP workers arrived at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) complex while Choudhary was speaking to reporters. They shouted slogans against him and demanded an apology for his statement about the deputy CM. They attempted to blacken his face, but he managed to escape. Police arrived at the scene and took control of the situation.

Choudhary later clarified that his views were personal and did not represent the BJP's official stance. He said, "If my words have offended Ajitdada, then I apologise," while criticising NCP workers for creating a ruckus over the issue. In a social media post tagging Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Choudhary claimed he was expressing public sentiments and was subsequently threatened by NCP goons. He requested police protection from Fadnavis as he feared for his life.

Political Context

The ruling alliance faced a setback in the recent Lok Sabha polls, winning only 17 seats compared to the Maha Vikas Aghadi's 30 seats. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP secured victory only in Raigad seat. In Shirur, NCP MP Amol Kolhe defeated Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil of the ruling alliance by over 1.40 lakh votes.

Choudhary claimed that BJP workers had been opposing Pawar for the last decade but are now fearful because Pawar holds significant power as Deputy CM. He added that it is the wish of all BJP workers in Shirur tehsil to not have such power involving Ajit Pawar. "Why bring Ajit Pawar to power because he will issue orders and suppress BJP workers," Choudhary said in the video.

Party Meeting Insights

During a review meeting held in Shirur, Choudhary said BJP workers freely expressed their wishes. He stated that senior leaders present at the meeting could have taken up significant roles if Pawar was not part of the ruling coalition. Choudhary emphasised that his statements reflected public sentiment and were not an official party position.

Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined the Shinde government in July last year. This move has since caused internal conflicts within the ruling alliance, as evidenced by Choudhary's recent remarks and subsequent backlash.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions within Maharashtra's political landscape, particularly within the ruling coalition. The incident underscores differing opinions among party members regarding alliances and leadership roles within the state government.

The article concludes with Choudhary's plea for protection due to threats received after expressing his views publicly. This incident reflects broader political dynamics and internal disagreements within Maharashtra's ruling alliance.