Trouble for NCP as leaders criticise Ajit Pawar’s ‘dictatorial’ style

Two leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) attacked deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s style of leadership on Wednesday, with one of them having already joined Shiv Sena, sending out the signal that the party has a lot to think about before Maharashtra goes to the polls late this year.

Two leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) attacked deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s style of leadership on Wednesday, with one of them having already joined Shiv Sena, sending out the signal that the party has a lot to think about before Maharashtra goes to the polls late this year.

Former state NCP president Babanrao Pachpute said he would soon quit the party as Pawar ran it like a dictator.

Dalit leader Ram Pandagale quit the party to join the Shiv Sena, citing the same reason. He also said the ruling combine was responsible for the woeful condition of dalits in the state.

Pachpute, a prominent politician from Ahmednagar who was a minister until last year, said the party leadership had lost the goodwill of grassroot workers as they were treated rudely.

“I was removed as a minister and also asked to step down as the state party chief very unceremoniously,” he said. “I worked hard to expand the party when I was state chief, but now I am given no responsibility.”

Pachpute said he would announce a further course of action on August 15. “My workers in Srigonda have been insisting that I quit the party and contest as an independent candidate,” he told HT.

Pachpute, however, said he was not in talks with any other party.