MLC polls: Ahead of Maharashtra polls, ‘worried’ Ajit Pawar visits Siddhivinayak temple to seek blessings for NCP

Ajit Pawar and another party leader Praful Patel sat for the ‘abhishek’ conducted at the temple. NCP leaders close to Ajit Pawar said this was the first time he has done anything like this.

After the ‘abhishek’, Ajit Pawar said, “Today is an auspicious day, whenever you start any new work (preparations for Assembly elections), it is important to take Ganesha’s blessings.”

NCP sources said that Ajit Pawar, nephew of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, is taking no chances to keep his flock together. This comes as speculations were rife that MLAs would be kept in a hotel to avoid them from coming into contact with the leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP has been concerned over the possibility of MLAs cross-voting and even leaving the party – a speculation triggered by MLA Rohit Pawar, who belongs to NCP (S-P) led by Sharad Pawar. He has been claiming this for long now.

Rohit has been claiming that more than 15 MLAs of the Ajit Pawar faction are in touch with them. ”We will take only those who have not been critical of our party’s national president. The final decision as to whom to be given entry into the party will be taken by our national president,” Rohit Pawar has said.

On Monday, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare denied that the party would herd its flock to a hotel. ”We don’t need to keep our MLAs in a five-star hotel. We trust our MLAs. The Mahayuti leaders have devised a strategy to ensure the victory of all nine candidates,” he said.

The party said that not a single MLA will leave the party. ”The Sharad Pawar-led party does not have enough candidates to contest the Assembly elections. That’s why they are making such desperate noises. No MLA is leaving our party,” Patil said.

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut took a jibe at Ajit Pawar over his alleged fear that his party members might indulge in cross-voting. ”After the defeat in Lok Sabha elections, Ajit Pawar has reason to worry now. He is worried that at least three-to-four MLAs might cross vote in favour of MVA candidates. And that is why he is resorting to all such tactics,” he said.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi has fielded three candidates. It claims the support of 66 MLAs, including three Independents. It needs three more votes so that it can get all three MLCs elected.

”All our three candidates will get elected. MVA has fielded Pradnya Satav (Congress), Jayant Patil of Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) and Milind Narvekar (Sena UBT),” Raut asserted.

NCP (S-P) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said, ”It is clear that Ajit Pawar is worried about his people staying together which made him rush to the God. He knows if cross-voting happens this time, his stock will plummet to new low as already he was humiliated in Baramati after making all kinds of noises and displays of bravado”.

Rubbishing the allegations, Umesh Patil, however, said the actual purpose of Ajit Pawar’s temple visit was to kick-off the campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls. The party will be holding the first rally in Baramati – the constituency of Ajit Pawar – on July 14.