NEW DELHI: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday moved a petition before Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar seeking disqualification of Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs who have taken oath as ministers in the Eknath Shinde-led government.

Meanwhile, NCP president Sharad Pawar has announced the removal of MPs Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel from the party for "anti-party activities".In response, party leader Praful Patel said that Sunil Tatkare has been appointed as new state president of the Nationalist Congress Party and Anil Bhaidas Patil has been appointed as the chief whip in the Maharashtra legislative assembly."Ajit Pawar has been unanimously elected as the leader of the legislature party.

We have informed the Speaker about our decision," he added."Tatkare will have the authority to make organisational changes in the party," Patel said, while requesting Sharad Pawar "with folded hands" to give "us his blessings as he is our guru"."I have taken over as the state president of the NCP.

I have taken into confidence all leaders of the party and have also called a meeting of all the legislators and zila parishad leaders," said Tatkare.Ajit Pawar said the decision was taken "for the betterment of Maharashtra" and insisted that Sharad Pawar would continue as national president of the party.Junior Pawar reiterated that a "majority of NCP MLAs are with us, that is why I became deputy CM".He further said that they have requested the Speaker to disqualify Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad, who were appointed by Sharad Pawar as state party president and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, respectively.Here are the key developments of the dayAjit Pawar's rebellion does not have uncle's blessingsAddressing the media on Monday, Sharad Pawar said he has launched a statewide tour to strengthen the NCP and boost party workers, unfazed by the action of a few leaders.

He also rejected speculation that Ajit Pawar's rebellion has his blessings.

He has asked the party workers not to feel dejected, and assured: "We will be able to win our lost ground,"Our people fell prey to BJP tactics: Sharad PawarAddressing party workers in Karad earlier during the day, Sharad Pawar said, "Some of our people fell prey to the BJP's tactics of breaking other parties."Besides alleging a "communal divide", he said, "We need to fight forces that create fear among peace-loving citizens.

"We need to protect democracy in the country," he added.Sharad Pawar visited the memorial of his mentor and Maharashtra's first chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan on Monday in Karad to pay tributes.

His visit to the memorial is being seen as a show of strength by him, following the said vertical split in his party.NCP moves plea seeking Ajit Pawar's disqualificationThe NCP has, meanwhile, moved a petition before Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar, seeking disqualification of Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs who took oath as ministers in the Shinde-led state government on Sunday.Jitendra Awhad, who has been appointed the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra assembly after Ajit Pawar joined the ruling alliance, delivered the petition at Narwekar's residence on Sunday night.BJP called NCP corrupt, now welcoming its leaders: Supriya Sule Hours after Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders joined the Maharashtra government, NCP working president and MP Supriya Sule took a dig at the BJP saying that it welcomed her party leaders despite calling the party corrupt."BJP stays in election mood 24x7 ...

BJP, which called the NCP a corrupt party, are now welcoming our leaders.

How? I don't want to comment on who will be the candidates of BJP.

I will concentrate on my work rather than peeking into others' life.

I am always with NCP and truth, I face these types of challenges every day.

This one (Ajit Pawar's revolt) is a new challenge for me, " said Sule.Shinde to be replaced soon; 16 MLAs to be disqualified: Sanjay RautUddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday on Monday claimed that Ajit Pawar would soon replace Shinde as the chief minister.Raut said that 16 MLAs, who were part of the split in Shiv Sena almost a year ago, are going to be "disqualified".

He further said that Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress will fight "unitedly" in Maharashtra."The BJP is breaking Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, but this will not benefit them at all.

In Maharashtra, we will fight unitedly," he confirmed.(With agency inputs)