Maharashtra Political Crisis: Sharad Pawar sets out on state tour amid power tussle with nephew Ajit. 10 big updates

In the midst of a power struggle with his nephew Ajit Pawar, who defied his leadership and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra, veteran leader Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is set to commence his statewide tour from Nashik today to consolidate his support base.

Amid an internal conflict within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) involving Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar organized a significant gathering on Thursday. Ajit Pawar denounced the meeting as "unlawful" and asserted that nobody possessed the authority to convene such assemblies. Here are the top 10 developments in Maharashtra political crisis.

1. At the age of 82, Sharad Pawar is embarking on what he terms his mission to rejuvenate the party from its grassroots level. He will kick off his tour by visiting Nashik, Pune, Solapur, and various areas in the Vidarbha region. These regions include the constituencies of rebel MLAs such as Chagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Mundem, among others. Pawar aims to rebuild and strengthen the party in these locations during his tour.

2. Fadnavis emphasized that his party does not actively orchestrate divisions within other political parties. However, he stated that they do not prevent or obstruct individuals who express their desire to join their party or alliance. "The BJP does not break other parties, but there will be no opposition to those who believe in Modi's leadership and want to come along, " Fadnavis said.

3. Aaditya Thackeray, a leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), has made the claim that Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has been requested to resign. "I have heard that Eknath Shinde has been asked to resign and there might be some change in the government," he told media.

4. Following Ajit Pawar's entry into the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated on the previous evening that there are plans for a cabinet expansion in the near future.

5. In Maharashtra Legislative Council's Business Advisory Committee, BJP MLC Pravin Darekar proposed to take back the no-confidence motion against Gorhe, brought during the previous session of the Council, for the post of deputy chairperson of the Legislative Council. Speaking at the official meeting here, Gorhe said, "Shiv Sena is heading in the right direction under the able leadership of Eknath Shinde."

6. Earlier dismissing speculations of the state getting a new chief minister in the coming days, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the Opposition parties were deliberating creating confusion, adding that Shinde will remain CM. "All our senior leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis, have already said Eknath Shinde will remain chief minister. He is doing a good job for the state. The Opposition parties are creating confusion," Bawankule said.

7. NCP leader Praful Patel said the party had not broken up, and Ajit Pawar was unanimously appointed as party president by its legislature and organizational wings on June 30. Addressing a press conference here, Patel said they had submitted a petition to the Election Commission of India (ECI) with affidavits of more than 40 MLAs, informing it about Ajit Pawar's appointment and staking claim over the "party name and symbol".

8. NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto, who belongs to the Sharad Pawar camp, said if the structure of the party organisation was flawed, his appointment as working president and that of Ajit Pawar as national president too was invalid. 

9. Ajit Pawar has asserted that his faction is the legitimate Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and has taken possession of the party's name and symbol from the Election Commission. Presently, he seems to have garnered support from 32 MLAs, whereas Sharad Pawar retains the support of 14 MLAs. 

10. In order for his claim to be considered by the Election Commission, Sharad Pawar needs to secure the support of 36 MLAs, which constitutes a two-thirds majority of the party's total of 53 legislators.