Mumbai to witness 'Pawar v/s Pawar' showdown on Wednesday
What's the story
Mumbai is all set to witness a show of strength from two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The uncle-nephew duo of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar convened meetings of all party legislators on Wednesday to garner support for the respective factions.
Meanwhile, the Ajit camp's leaders found themselves locked out of the new party office just before its inauguration on Tuesday.
Context
Why does this story matter?
A political tempest erupted in the Sharad-led NCP on Sunday following a mutiny by his nephew and close aide Ajit.
The latter took at least eight MLAs with him and joined the cabinet of the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government in Maharashtra.
Though the Ajit camp MLAs face disqualification petitions, both sections of the party now claim to be the legitimate representatives.
Details
Ajit, Sharad call for meetings on Wednesday at separate venues
According to ANI, newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit summoned all NCP MLAs, MLCs, MPs, district chiefs, and state delegates for a meeting on Wednesday in MET Bandra amid the political turmoil in Maharashtra.
On the other hand, Sharad has also called a meeting of all party members and leaders at the YB Chavan Auditorium on the same day.
Claims
Uncertainties as both camps yet to prove support of MLAs
Both camps have claimed to represent the true NCP but have yet to provide a specific number of MLAs backing them.
On Monday, Sharad sacked prominent leaders such as MP Praful Patel for attending the swearing ceremony of Ajit and eight other MLAs.
The group led by Sharad also petitioned Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar to disqualify the rebels.
Dramatic development
Ajit-led faction faces embarrassment after new office found locked
Amid the chaos within the NCP, the leaders loyal to the Ajit camp found themselves locked out of the new party office, "Rashtrawadi Bhavan," after the keys went missing, per NDTV.
Later, some youth leaders broke open a lock to enter the bungalow and prepare for the inauguration.
However, once inside, they faced a new problem: the doors of the rooms were locked too.
NCP office
Ajit loyalist alleges conspiracy in missing keys
Reportedly, the bungalow chosen by Ajit for the party office earlier belonged to Ambadas Danve, a Uddhav Thackeray loyalist and Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
"We have made all arrangements inside, but the PA locked up and left. We have called him. He'll hand over the keys to us," NCP leader Appa Sawant told NDTV, alleging a conspiracy behind this.
Meetings
Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress plan programs against BJP
In another development, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress held separate meetings with their leaders and the NCP chief to discuss the future plans of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in fighting the BJP's politics.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the party was preparing a tour across the state alongside Thackeray and Sharad to root out the BJP's alleged dictatorship.