Mumbai/IBNS: Ajit Pawar, who is leading the rebel faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Wednesday said that he aspires to be the Chief Minister one day.

His faction also claimed that he was elected the national president of the party on June 30, two days before the coup.

Ajit Pawar-led NCP has informed the Election Commission that he has been elected national president of the party "through a resolution dated June 30, 2023 signed by an overwhelming majority" of members of the party.

Pawar, who took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra last week said that he wants to be the "Chief Minister someday".

The faction has also submitted a request to the Election Commission claiming the party's name and symbol.

However, Sharad Pawar has hit back saying the 'symbol won't go anywhere'.

Both factions of the NCP held separate meetings on Wednesday each showcasing the strength.

While Ajit Pawar claimed the support of over 40 MLAs and MLCs, about 29 MLAs were seen on the stage at the meeting called by him. The other faction paraded 17 MLAs.

The NCP has 53 MLAs in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Earlier, NCP's working president Supriya Sule urged party leaders and workers to turn up at the meet in large numbers and seek guidance from Sharad Pawar on the road ahead.

While some legislators have arrived at both venues, those who stayed away from Wednesday's meetings could play a key role when the Election Commission takes a call on the NCP name and symbol.

On Monday, the battle for supremacy over the NCP intensified after Sharad Pawar started taking action against Ajit Pawar and his associates, while on the other hand, his nephew Ajit Pawar removed the old timers from the post.

It started when Pawar Senior expelled Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare from the party and some time later, the Ajit Pawar faction removed Jayant Patil from the post of NCP state president and appointed Sunil Tatkare in his place.

After Sharad Pawar's action, Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel announced that Sunil Tatkare would be the new state president of the party.

He will take over this responsibility in place of Jayant Patil, they had said.