In Pawar Play After NCP Coup, Uncle vs Nephew, Rival Sackings | Read

The rebel group of Nationalist Congress Party today followed the template set by the breakaway Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, declaring its own "group" and "state unit" leaders and "sacking" Jayant Patil, the state chief of the faction led by Sharad Pawar. Calling it "structural changes", Praful Patel, sacked from the NCP a short while ago by Sharad Pawar, declared that Ajit Pawar has been appointed the "Group Leader" of the party. Asked who the party's national president is, the "Group Leader" responded "Sharad Pawar is the national president" -- a statement bound to add to the row. "We request Sharad Pawar to accept the decision of majority in the party... We request Sharad Pawar to accept the decision of majority in the party. We want his blessings," added Praful Patel. The contingency plan was spelt out by Ajit Pawar. "If there's any issue within the party, the Election Commission of India decides who has the party and symbol," he said.