New Delhi: The BJP’s midnight coup Friday to clinch power in Maharashtra has left the state stunned, splitting parties and, in the case of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), dividing families.
Hours after BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis’ swearing-in as the Maharashtra chief minister and NCP’s Ajit Pawar as his deputy, reactions to the sudden development began trickling in Saturday.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule has confirmed that the party has split. She put out a story on WhatsApp stating “party and family split”.
Sharad Pawar has also tweeted that the NCP doesn’t support his nephew Ajit’s decision.
“Ajit Pawar’s decision to support the BJP to form the Maharashtra Government is his personal decision and not that of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). We place on record that we do not support or endorse this decision of his,” read Sharad Pawar’s status.
Ajit Pawar's decision to support the BJP to form the Maharashtra Government is his personal decision and not that of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
We place on record that we do not support or endorse this decision of his.— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) November 23, 2019
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel also took to Twitter to call the midnight coup and the subsequent swearing-in as “illegal and evil manoeuvres”.
Illegal and evil manoeuvres take place in the secrecy of midnight
Such was the shame that they had to do the swearing in hiding
This illegitimate formation will self destruct
— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) November 23, 2019
Sanjay Jha, Congress spokesperson, similarly said: “This treachery will have political consequences of a serious nature in the long-term. Maharashtra is a defining moment in Indian politics.”
Saam Dham Dand Bhed ! This treachery will have political consequences of a serious nature in the long-term. Maharashtra is a defining moment in Indian politics.
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) November 23, 2019
If Ajit Pawar is sacked by the NCP, he has no locus standi to claim leadership of the NCP legislative party.
Okay, let the games begin.— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) November 23, 2019
Congratulations, Congratulations
Leaders from the BJP, meanwhile, are rushing to congratulate Ajit Pawar and Fadnavis. Subramanian Swamy commented on the NCP’s split: “Message to the Nation: If you risk splitting the Hindutva movement you will be split.”
Message to the Nation: If you risk splitting the Hindutva movement you will be split
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) November 23, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were among the first ones to congratulate Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
Congratulations to @Dev_Fadnavis Ji and @AjitPawarSpeaks Ji on taking oath as the CM and Deputy CM of Maharashtra respectively. I am confident they will work diligently for the bright future of Maharashtra.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 23, 2019
“I am confident that this government will be continuously committed to the development and welfare of Maharashtra and will set new standards of progress in the state,” said Shah.
श्री @Dev_Fadnavis जी को महाराष्ट्र के मुख्यमंत्री और श्री @AjitPawarSpeaks को प्रदेश के उपमुख्यमंत्री के रूप में शपथ लेने पर हार्दिक बधाई।
मुझे विश्वास है कि यह सरकार महाराष्ट्र के विकास और कल्याण के प्रति निरंतर कटिबद्ध रहेगी और प्रदेश में प्रगति के नये मापदंड स्थापित करेगी।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 23, 2019
“BJP-NCP Gov will take Maharashtra to newer heights,” said BJP’s working president J.P. Nadda.
I Congratulate @Dev_Fadnavis Ji and @AjitPawarSpeaks Ji on taking oath as the CM and Deputy CM of Maharashtra respectively. I am sure that under the guidance of Hon PM @narendramodi Ji, BJP-NCP Gov will take Maharashtra to newer heights.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) November 23, 2019
Also read: DMK calls political developments in Maharashtra ‘disgusting’ and governor a ‘puppet’