Dimapur, July 2 (MExN): There appears to be a Nagaland "angle" in the latest political shake-up in Maharashtra on July 2, resulting in Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) being sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister in the ruling alliance of Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
Addressing a press conference thereafter, the 64-year-old Pawar reportedly stated that the entire NCP stands by him and that he enjoys the blessings of everyone in the party. When questioned about the NCP's alliance with the BJP, the newly appointed Deputy CM purportedly responded that if the party can join hands with the BJP in Nagaland, then why not in Maharashtra, adding: "We will do everything for the betterment of Maharashtra."
It is worth noting that the NCP had the potential to become the official opposition in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly by winning seven out of the 60 seats or securing 11% of the seats in the Assembly polls held on February 27.
However, on March 8, the NCP announced its decision to join the NDPP-BJP alliance in Nagaland, ensuring the formation of another government without an opposition. Nevertheless, none of the NCP legislators currently holds any position in the current Nagaland government.
