Supriya Sule questions disqualification plea against NCP MPs

Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party on Thursday wondered why the rival faction under Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had sought the disqualification of parliamentarians Shriniwas Patil, Mohammed Faizal, Fauzia Khan and Vandana Chavan.

Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday expressed surprise over the disqualification plea filed by the rival faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar against parliamentarians Shriniwas Patil, Mohammed Faizal, Fauzia Khan, and Vandana Chavan, all of whom she said were working efficiently.

Sule's Comments

Sule was commenting on reports that the Ajit Pawar faction had filed a plea seeking the disqualification of Lok Sabha MPs Patil from Satara, Faizal from Lakshwadeep, as well as Khan and Chavan, who are Rajya Sabha MPs. Notably, the plea excludes the names of party founder Sharad Pawar, who is a Rajya Sabha MP, Sule, who represents Baramati in the Lok Sabha, and Amol Kolhe, the Lok Sabha MP from Shirur.

Expressing her surprise, Sule said, "I wonder why the disqualification plea was moved against Patil, Khan, and Chavan, who are currently working efficiently. Patil is 83 years old. He is very efficient, and all of Maharashtra knows his work as an MP. A plea against a man who is 83 years old is something new that I am witnessing."

Questioning the reasons behind the disqualification plea against Patil, Sule added, "What has he done for which a disqualification plea has been moved against him? I do not know why he has been made a victim."

Support for Faizal and Appreciation for Khan and Chavan

Sule also extended her support to Faizal, stating that he was doing a good job as an MP from Lakshwadeep. She questioned why there was a disqualification plea against a leader representing the youth and who wants to do something for the people.

Furthermore, Sule highlighted the work of Fauzia Khan and Vandana Chavan, which she said had been appreciated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Reasons for Seeking Disqualification of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare

Sule pointed out that the NCP had sought the disqualification of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, both of the Ajit Pawar faction, as they had voted in favor of the BJP during the no-confidence motion on the Manipur issue that was moved by the opposition. She asserted that these were valid reasons for seeking their disqualification.

While Patel is a Rajya Sabha MP, Tatkare represents Raigad in the Lower House.

Background of the NCP Split

The NCP split on July 2 after Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government. Subsequently, both groups laid claim to the NCP's name and symbol and accused each other of appointing persons illegally in the party organization. They have also filed pleas seeking the disqualification of lawmakers from the other group.

The disqualification plea filed by the Ajit Pawar faction against four NCP MPs has raised eyebrows within the party, with Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule questioning the reasons behind the move. Sule expressed her support for the targeted MPs and highlighted their efficient work. She also reiterated the reasons for seeking the disqualification of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare from the rival faction. The ongoing power struggle within the NCP and the legal battles over disqualification pleas reflect the deepening divisions within the party.