Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government on Sunday, triggering debate about a vertical split in the party. While both groups appear to acknowledge Sharad Pawar as the party chief, it remains unclear whether the NCP
is part of the ruling coalition or the leading Opposition party. Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, however, said that he was yet to receive any petition mentioning a split in the Sharad Pawar-led party.
“There is no split in the party. None of the sides have claimed there is a split, so there is no question of deciding a number game. Will have to decide whether NCP is part of government or Opposition and who
represents it,” the Speaker said.
