NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Friday was sworn in as the deputy chief minister in The Prithviraj Chavan led council of ministers. Maharashtra Governor K Shankarnarayanan administered oath of secrecy at a simple function took place at the historic Darbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan. A large number of supporters of Ajit Pawar who is popularly known as Dada were present in a large number. It was difficult time for the state protocol department and the security personnel to check the NCP members and Dada supporters to give entry into the Darbar hall. However, opposition Shiv Sena, BJP and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, who have blasted NCP and Ajit Pawar for his reinstatement in the wake of a clean chit given to him the the white paper on irrigation sector, boycotted the swearing-in function. The opposition has already decided to target Ajit Pawarmin the ensuing winter session of the state legislature for his alleged involvement inthe multi crore irrigation scam.
A visible relaxed Dada entered the Darbar hall with his family members at around 9.20 am amidst the thundering applause from the gathering. Some of them shouted slogan like Ajit Dada Zindabad. Ajit Pawar responded the ministers, legislators and dignitaries by the traditional Namaskar. He accepted greetings from the state council chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh, state assembly speaker Dilip Walse Patil, former deputy chief ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and R R Patil and Alford from ministers and legislators of NCP and Congress.
Immediately after sworn in as the deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar told Business Standard that he would not take charge of the office but leave for his home district Pune. Ajit Pawar would took over the charge of deputy chief minster either on Saturday or Mon Sunday as the winter session is starting from Monday.
After the swearing in function Ajit was literally gheraoed by his sporters who shouted slogans like Ekach Dada Ajit Dada (There is only oneDada).
