Mumbai: 35 MLAs, 5 MLCs present at NCP meeting called by Ajit Pawar

Amid the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) crisis in Maharashtra, both the factions Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar camp has convened separate meetings in Mumbai today where a clear picture may emerge on the exact number of MLAs backing each group amid the contrasting claims. 

35 MLAs, 5 MLCs present at NCP meeting called by Ajit Pawar in Mumbai, say party sources. Ajit Pawar, accompanied by fellow party leaders, hoisted the NCP flag at MET Bandra. The NCP leaders and workers were observed wearing caps and saluting the party flag, demonstrating their deep reverence for the party.

In a surprise move on July 2nd  NCP leader Ajit Pawar who was also the Maharashtra Leader of Opposition joined the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra and took oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister. The move by NCP chief Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar, which also saw eight other NCP MLAs joining the Shinde-Fadnavis government, came amid efforts by opposition parties to forge unity to take on the BJP in the next year's Lok Sabha polls.