Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in an interview with a television channel on Wednesday said Sharad Pawar was on board with a BJP-NCP government in 2019 with Fadnavis as chief minister and Ajit Pawar as his deputy; but Sharad Pawar backed off 3-4 days before the unprecedented early morning swearing-in on November 23. NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto issued a statement dismissing Fadnavis' claim and said now that Fadnavis has been subdued by chief minister Eknath Shinde, he is trying to garner publicity by misusing Sharad Pawar's name.
In an interview with Republic TV, Fadnavis once again said that Ajit Pawar joining hands with the BJP was only after his uncle Sharad Pawar's nod. "If you want to understand Sharad Pawar's mystery, then you will have to delve into his history," Fadnavis said in the interview.
'Uddhav ji stopped taking our calls as CM's chair was beckoning him'
"When Uddhav ji stopped taking our calls we understood that he was not coming to us because he was after the CM's chair. At that time, some NCP people told us that NCP wanted to come with us. I want to underline this we had a meeting with Sharad Pawar where it was decided that BJP and the NCP would form the government. Ajit Pawar and I would head the government, it was decided. Then suddenly Pawar Sahab backed off," Fadnavis said.
'Ajit Pawar had no other way'
{{/usCountry}}"When Uddhav ji stopped taking our calls we understood that he was not coming to us because he was after the CM's chair. At that time, some NCP people told us that NCP wanted to come with us. I want to underline this we had a meeting with Sharad Pawar where it was decided that BJP and the NCP would form the government. Ajit Pawar and I would head the government, it was decided. Then suddenly Pawar Sahab backed off," Fadnavis said.
'Ajit Pawar had no other way'
{{/usCountry}}"What else could Ajit Pawar do? He had to come with me as we made all preparations. He would have been exposed. We took the oath and Ajit Pawar was thinking that Pawar Sahab will be with us because we held so many meetings. I would reiterate that Sharad Pawar initiated the formation of the government at that time. It was not like one fine morning Ajit Pawar and I went to take oath all of a sudden," Fadnavis said.
'Uddhav betrayed, Sharad Pawar double played'
Clarifying that he would not consider Sharad Pawar's action as backstabbing, Fadnavis said, "I won't say Sharad Pawar backstabbed us because he did not get elected with us. I would say he played a double game. Uddhav betrayed us."