Seven NCP MLAs join NDPP in Nagaland: Ajit Pawar cites ‘discontent', rules out Anti-Defection Law
In a major political setback for Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), all the seven NCP MLAs in Nagaland have defected to the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) of Nagaland.
Joining of the NCP MLAs have increased the strength of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's party in the state assembly, giving the NDPP a clear majority on its own.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Ajit Pawar confirmed the development and acknowledged that the seven MLAs had been expressing discontent over the lack of development work and political traction in the state.
'About two to three months ago, the seven MLAs from our Nagaland unit had come to meet me. They told me that they are facing issues there. no work was being done for them on the ground,' Pawar said.
'I even spoke to the Chief Minister there regarding their concerns. Yes, there was discontent among them, that much is true,' he said further adding that he will take more information on it.
'Over the past two days, I was unwell, so don't have much information about it. but now I have begun gathering more detailed information about the developments in Nagaland,' he said.
Pawar also clarified that the anti-defection law would not apply in this case, as all seven legislators have defected collectively, thus fulfilling the legal condition for exemption under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
'Since all seven MLAs have joined the ruling party together, the anti-defection law does not come into effect,' he noted.
With the defection of all the seven MLAs Ajit Pawar-led NCP will have no representation in the Nagaland Assembly.
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