Sharad Pawar: Rift being created among people in Maharashtra

Satara (Maharashtra): The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar has asserted that the people of Maharashtra will not succumb to undemocratic forces trying to create a rift among people in the State.

Sharad Pawar alleged that "caste and religion are being used to create a rift" among people in the State.

Some of us fell prey to pressure: Sharad Pawar
"Today, in Maharashtra and the country, some groups create a rift in the society in the name of caste and religion. We tried to stand against the BJP, but unfortunately, some of us fell prey to it. With the support of the public, we will be strengthened again. Nevertheless, the people of Maharashtra will not succumb to these undemocratic forces. Maharashtra again will go on the path of progress," Sharad Pawar said while addressing a public meeting at the Yashwant Chavan Samadhi in Karad.

Action against those who don't come back: Jayant Patil
Meanwhile, NCP's Maharashtra president Jayant Patil said, "We sent a petition to the Assembly speaker last night. We requested him to hear us. Our party's strength in the Assembly is 53, of which 9 have defected, the rest are with us. We will give them a fair chance to come back but will take action against those who do not come back."

Ajit Pawar does it again
The Nationalist Congress Party experienced an internal division as senior leader Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) along with a group of MLAs.

Ajit Pawar takes oath
Ajit Pawar took oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister with eight other party legislators also joining the National Democratic Alliance government in the State.

I got the numbers: Ajit Pawar
On Sunday Ajit Pawar claimed that all MLAs are with him and they have joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government as a party.

"We have all the numbers. All MLAs are with me. We are here as a party. We have informed all seniors also. The majority is given importance in a democracy. Our party is 24 years old and young leadership should come forward," Ajit Pawar said after taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

(With ANI inputs)