Ajit Pawar, a political heavyweight belonging to the NCP, today pulled off an unexpected surprise by joining hands with Eknath Shinde's faction of Shiv Sena and the BJP. The Shiv Sena (Shinde) and BJP are Maharashtra's ruling parties. Pawar has been sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Minister of the State. News reports say that Pawar has the support of anywhere between 15-29 NCP MLAs.
Pawar and Chaggan Bhujbal have broken away from the NCP, creating a huge political storm in the State. Pawar has been sworn in as the CM for the third time in four years.
While the BJP welcomed Pawar with open arms, there was a time when the saffron party called him the ‘Epitome of corruption’.
Devendra Fadnavis, who was once a critic of Pawar, will be Pawar's fellow Deputy CM. CM Shinde described himself and the two Deputy CMs as a 'triple engine government.
Impact on Lok Sabha elections:
It is said that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah don't want to take any chances in 2024. Maharashtra, with 48 LS seats, is crucial. That's why Pawar has been invited to break the NCP.
On their party, some Congress leaders are saying that the Sharad Pawar faction of NCP and Congress will demolish the ruling coalition electorally.
