Daijiworld Media Network - Nagpur

Nagpur, Sep 19: In a rare and stern message to his own party colleagues, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday warned that ministers who fail to prioritize party responsibilities — especially in their assigned districts — would be shown the door.

Speaking at a one-day Chintan Shivir (brainstorming workshop) held in Nagpur, Pawar said:

“Ministers have been given guardian ministership of specific districts. You must travel to those districts and work with local party leaders. Neglecting this is unacceptable. Even I must correct my mistakes — and those who don’t will have to vacate their chairs.”

His comments come amid growing dissatisfaction within the party about lack of grassroots engagement, especially in underdeveloped districts of Marathwada and Vidarbha, where many NCP ministers have been assigned.

Pawar didn’t hold back, further warning:

“If anyone considers other work more important than the party, we will ensure that their ministerial post is declared vacant. We will give it to someone else who is ready to work.”

He also directed ministers to submit their Mumbai schedules and district-level plans to NCP’s state unit president Sunil Tatkare, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability.

The warning followed visible lapses in party discipline — many senior leaders and ministers reportedly arrived late to the flag-hoisting ceremony that preceded the workshop. Comparing party discipline to aviation protocol, Pawar remarked:

“Just as no one is allowed to break rules before a plane takes off, the same strict rules will apply in the party.”

Earlier, NCP working president Praful Patel also expressed frustration, saying:

“Guardian ministers show up in their districts for barely an hour or two. They need to come for work, not tourism.”

The coordinated criticism from both top leaders is widely seen as a pre-emptive wake-up call ahead of the upcoming local body and civic elections in Maharashtra.

According to a senior NCP leader, several ministers are dissatisfied with being given districts outside their home turf, particularly in less developed areas. This, the leader said, has led to a lack of regular visits — a situation both Pawar and Patel are now aggressively trying to change.

The message from the leadership is clear: No seat is safe if party duties are ignored.