Tupe among two MPs to join rebellion

With this, the total number of MPs who have resigned from Congress in support of Pawar has gone up to seven, Chavan said.

Leaders of Opposition in both the Houses of the State Legislature Madhukar Pichad and Chhagan Bhujbal were also present on the occasion.

Pichad, who till now was convalescing at a naturopathy centre in Kerala, after his return to the metropolis today asserted that he was with Pawar.

Though Bhujbal has been expelled from Congress no action has been taken against Pichad so far.

Both the Opposition leaders have issued a three-line whip debarring all party legislators from attending any meeting that has been called by anyone other than the Opposition leaders, Chavan said. “Any such action on the part of a member will be construed as the breach of the whip and legal action will be initiated against the concerned member, Chavan said.

MPCC has called a Congress Legislature Party meeting on May 31 here.

“The whip will not be applicable to six MLCs and nine MLAs expelled from the CLP,” Chavan said.

The CLP is dominated by Pawar supporters which had expelled 15 legislators in retaliation to MPCCs action of expelling nine MLCs and 20 MLAs of Pawar group from Congress.

Chavan said the CLP meeting called by Bhosle was `illegal’ since the MPCC chief was not a member of either House of the Legislature and only leader of Opposition has the authority to issue a whip.

To a query, Bhujbal said Ganesh Naik, Suresh Navle and Gulabrao Gawande — all former ministers and sena rebels have extended support to the proposed front of Pawar. He, however, sidetracked queries whether the trio would align with Pawar’s new outfit.