A Sharp Warning From Sharad Pawar, For BJP in Maharashtra

ALIBAUG, MAHARASHTRA:  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 Mr 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 Mr 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. Mr Pawar had, within hours of the result being announced, offered unconditional support to a BJP government. But Mr 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.