Alibaug, Maharashtra: True to his style and form, Sharad Pawar the NCP chief, is now playing power politics. After creating a wedge between BJP and Shiv Sena, he understands the value of NCP support to the survival of the Fadnavis government. Put simply, Pawar is asking for his pound of flesh.
The minority government headed by Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra could consider itself warned – a party which had pledged support has indicated that’s not a reliable offer.Sharad Pawar today asked workers of his NCP to be ready for another election. “We have to be ready to face snap polls in Maharashtra,” he said addressing a two-day party meeting which began today at Alibaug in Maharashtra’s Raigad district.
“Having a stable government in Maharashtra isn’t NCP’s responsibility,” said Pawar, who said that this party, “was neutral during the trust vote” which was won last week by the Chief Minister and his party, the BJP.
“We did not vote for or against the government,” said Pawar, who was union minister in the government that was demolished by the BJP in May’s national election.
In last month’s election in Maharashtra, the BJP won the most seats but did not clear a majority. Pawar had, within hours of the result being announced, offered unconditional support to a BJP government. But Pawar has a reputation for being an unreliable partner – his announcement today will bolster that perception.
Despite weeks of extensive negotiations, the BJP has failed to strike a deal with its former ally, the Shiv Sena, which placed second in the election. The Sena, fronted by Uddhav Thackeray, wants to join the government, but the share of ministries that it wants has been rejected by the BJP.
The 25-year partnership between the BJP and the Sena came undone before the election, the BJP refused to accept junior status in Maharashtra, a decision that proved to be politically profitable. The Sena voted against Mr Fadnavis in last week’s trust vote.Â
NCP Legislature Party leader and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, too, disapproved of the manner in which the motion was passed by voice vote. Sharad Pawar had earlier said he cannot guarantee the survival of the BJP government for its full five-year term.
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