"A black day, violation of the Constitution": Sharad Pawar’s workers rally behind the NCP founder

"A black day, violation of the Constitution": Sharad Pawar’s workers rally behind the NCP founder. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Workers of the Nationalist Congress Party founder Sharad Pawar Wednesday said that it constitutes a breach of the Constitution to transfer a party (real NCP) established by (Sharad) Pawar saheb to another faction.

Calling it a black day the workers said that while Sharad Pawar entrusted significant roles to Ajit Pawar, there was an alleged plot to undermine him with the assistance of the BJP.

The Election Commission dealt a blow to Sharad Pawar by officially acknowledging the faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as the real NCP, granting it both the party name and symbol.

Workers of Sharad Pawar group Wednesday demonstrated their dissent by donning black ribbons in Pune, Mumbai and some other places.

The loyalists of the elder Pawar stood in solidarity with him, affirming that, to them, Sharad Pawar embodies the essence of the party and its symbol. They also emphasized that the true ownership of the NCP is widely recognized among the populace in the state.

"This is not the first time that Sharad Pawar saheb has faced this kind of a situation, but the saddening part is that someone from the family split the party. I am sure the people of Maharashtra will give a befitting reply," said a woman supporter in Pimpri Chinchwad, an industrial and automotive hub near Pune city, according to newswire PTI. She condemned the decision of the ECI by wearing black ribbons and black clothes.

Another supporter said yesterday was a black day.

"It is a violation of the Constitution to give a party, founded by Pawar saheb, to the other faction. Pawar saheb gave big positions to Ajit Pawar, but he hatched a conspiracy to finish him off with the help of BJP," a party worker told PTI.

In Pune also, the party workers of the Sharad Pawar group staged a protest by wearing black ribbons.

Prashant Jagtap, the city unit president of NCP (Sharad Pawar group) said they will go to people with new name and symbol. "The other faction's act of snatching the party will not affect Pawar saheb as more and more people will come out in his support," he said.

In Solapur, the workers of the Sharad Pawar group condemned the EC's decision and said the people of the state will not remain silent and will give strong reply to this act.

The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999, got split in July last year after his nephew and senior leader Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led government along with eight MLAs of the party. (With inputs from PTI)