Why BJP Joined Hands With Ajith-Led NCP Faction In Maharashtra? Fadnavis Explains

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has opened up on the alliance with Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Fadnavis said, "Today, all the opposition parties are coming together with one target against Prime Minister Narendra Modi," He claimed that any party can join hands with the BJP which will strengthen the party.

Fadnavis said Ajit Pawar's faction wanted to strengthen the BJP-led Maharashtra government. "This is the same as what happened with Eknath Shinde ji," he added.

In a surprising turn of events, Ajit Pawar, like the way Shinde led the rebellion in Shiv Sena, split the NCP to join the NDA government.

Devendra Fadnavis denied the speculations which claimed that there was tension between the BJP and NCP's breakway faction. He said, "We are not sad, we are happy with Ajit Pawar with us... I know my workers. Don't worry about my workers. We have fought with Ajit Pawar and NCP. The fact of the matter is, when you are being finished, there is an act of survival."

He also pointed out that Shiv Sena is a natural ally of the BJP while the NCP was a political ally. "If they are with us for the next five or ten years, they will also become a natural ally. I am sure they will be with us," he claimed.

Senior Pawar Wanted Prez Rule

The Maharashtra Deputy CM further stated that the NCP supremo Sharad Pawar had suggested President's Rule in Maharashtra in 2019.

"It was Sharad Pawar's idea to impose President's rule in Maharashtra. He said he cannot take a U-turn so fast. He suggested imposing the President's rule briefly, after which he would talk about the need for a stable government in Maharashtra. Hence, we are going with the BJP. Once we have our own numbers, the President's rule will automatically be lifted," Fadnavis claimed.

Further, he clarified that when the President's rule is imposed, each party receives a letter inquiring about their intention to establish a government. He stated, "When the NCP got the letter, I was the one who wrote it. It was typed at my house, following which Sharad Pawar made some corrections to it. Once those corrections were executed and the letter saying that the NCP would also not like to form a government was submitted, then only President's rule was imposed."

It may be recalled that Fadnavis and Ajit took oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in November 2019 in the early morning ceremony.