NEW DELHI: In a stunning twist and tales of Maharashtra politics, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s senior leader Ajit Pawar on Sunday joined the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra and took oath as the deputy chief minister of the state.Reports suggest that the MLAs accompanying Ajit Pawar to Raj Bhawan were unhappy with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar's decision to join forces with Rahul Gandhi and share the stage at a recent opposition meet in Patna in Bihar.

This move by Sharad Pawar was seen as unilateral and caused a rift within the NCP, sources said.The issue of Rahul Gandhi's leadership emerged as a breaking point, leading to a division within the party.

"Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal, among other leaders, could not bear that senior leaders like Sharad Pawar might be willing to move forward under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi," sources said.Sharad Pawar's presence in Patna alongside Rahul Gandhi provided Ajit Pawar with an opportunity to convince his party colleagues to part ways.

Sources also revealed that a significant majority of 40 out of 54 NCP MLAs are now supporting Ajit Pawar's decision.WatchExplained: What led Ajit Pawar to ditch uncle Sharad Pawar?