Mumbai, May 20 (IANS). Ajit Pawar-led NCP on Wednesday refuted media reports which claimed that 22 party MLAs are in touch with Sharad Pawar’s NCP (NCP-SP). The party has described these news as completely false and misleading.
Party spokesperson Umesh Patil told reporters that not a single MLA is in touch with Sharad Pawar’s party nor has any MLA met him for political purposes.
Patil also said that last week, state president and MP Sunil Tatkare had met Sharad Pawar only for a courtesy call to inquire about his health. Tatkare himself had made this clear to the media after this meeting.
Later reports claimed that 22 NCP MLAs were planning to join Sharad Pawar’s faction. On this, Patil along with party MLAs Sanjay Bansode and Pratap Patil Chikhlikar presented the party’s side and said that the party is completely united under the leadership of Ajit Pawar.
He said, “It is highly inappropriate to run the news of ruling party MLAs going to the opposition without any concrete evidence.” He asked whether the media channels have any proof that 22 MLAs have met Sharad Pawar.
He said that this press conference has been called so that these continuously spreading rumors do not create any misunderstanding among the MLAs.
Patil further said that NCP works on democratic values.
He said, “In NCP everyone has the freedom to express their opinion and meet anyone. There is no restriction on our MLAs as to whom they meet or where they go, but a section of the media is deliberately spreading a false narrative.
Referring to the growing strength of the party, Patil also mentioned its recent political involvements.
He said, “Today Prabodh Davkhare, son of late leader Vasant Davkhare has joined NCP. Many more workers, officials and leaders are interested in joining our party.
Patil appealed to the media not to spread rumors without verification and broadcast news only after investigation.
He also said that the party has not yet sent any new letter to the Election Commission, in which the error of removing the names of some senior leaders from the National Executive has been rectified. This includes the names of Prafull Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil.
He said that Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare still hold the posts of National Working President and Maharashtra State President respectively.
–IANS
AMT/DKP