BIG: Ajit Pawar breaks ranks with NCP's official position, backs CM Uddhav on CAA & NPR

In a massive political development on Sunday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar broke ranks with NCP’s official position and asserted that Citizenship Amendment Act and National Population Register would t take away anyone’s citizenship. He was addressing a one-day function of NCP workers in Mumbai. He contended that it was unnecessary to pass a resolution against CAA and NPR in Maharashtra Assembly, disagreeing with unanimous resolution passed in Bihar Assembly. Maintaining that some people were spreading “false information” about CAA and NPR, he called for more awareness on this issue.  

Uddhav Thackeray backs CAA and NPR

Ajit Pawar’s stance seems to echo Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s assertion that body needed to worry about CAA and NPR. Addressing a press conference after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he observed that CAA was a legislation to give citizenship to persecuted mirities in neighbouring countries. Maintaining that NPR was a regular exercise like Census, Thackeray also showcased his trust for Home Ministry’s answer in Lok Sabha that a nationwide NRC would t be implemented.   

Read: Bhima Koregaon Twist: Ajit Pawar Differs From NCP Stance, Appreciates Pune Police Probe

'As far as NCP is concerned, we have voted against this act' 

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, uncle of Ajit Pawar has vehemently criticised  CAA, NPR, and NRC. When asked about Uddhav Thackeray’s stance, he recalled that NCP had voted against CAA in Parliament. Moreover, Pawar revealed that his party would try to convince Uddhav Thackeray on changing his stance.  Subsequently, senior Congress leader and Maharashtra Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat made it clear that his party remained steadfast in its opposition to CAA, NPR, and NRC.  

“That is his (Uddhav Thackeray's) view and it is his right to have his own view. As far as NCP is concerned, we have voted against this act in Parliament as well. w, in this coalition government, we cant promise that everyone will agree to same thing. However, we will try to talk to m and convince m about issue,” Sharad Pawar remarked.   

Read: Uddhav Thackeray-led Delegation To Meet Amit Shah To Demand Caste-based Census: Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar's differing stance

Despite being a senior leader of NCP, Ajit Pawar has been kwn for his occasional divergence from  party line.  For instance, he justified decision to form government with Devendra Fadnavis on vember 23, 2019, citing fact that three parties- NCP, Shiv Sena, and Congress would t be able to form a stable government. However, he returned back to NCP fold and became a part of Maha Vikas Aghadi government. 

Recently, he refused to outrightly blame Centre for transferring Bhima Koregaon- Elgar Parishad cases to NIA. While he maintained both state and Centre should operate within ir domain, he also ackwledged that latter had right to examine a situation where something untoward was taking place. Interestingly, he also commented that  police personnel were trying ir best in Bhima Koregoan-Elgar Parishad cases, contradicting his uncle who had alleged political pressure in police probe. 

Read: Maharashtra DY CM Ajit Pawar Says Govt Just 2 Months Old, Asks BJP To Give m 'time'

Read: Maha Dy CM Ajit Pawar Hails 'Mandatory Marathi Bill' Pass;eyes 'classical Langu' Tag