We agreed on a friendly fight, but Ajit Pawar’s patience seems to be faltering: Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday took aim at NCP Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for criticizing the BJP during the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic election campaign. He said that despite the two parties contesting separately, they had agreed on a “friendly” contest.
During a conversation with actress Girija Oak, Fadnavis said that the BJP and NCP had decided long ago that they would not contest the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections as allies, as both parties are strong in the area.
Ajit Pawar’s NCP, which is part of the ruling Mahayuti, has been repeatedly targeting the BJP over local governance ahead of the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporation elections scheduled for January 15. He has formed an alliance with his uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) for both municipal corporations. When asked about Ajit Pawar’s criticism of the BJP, Fadnavis said, “Ajit Dada only talks, but my work speaks volumes. We had decided back then that even if we contested elections against each other, it would be a friendly contest and we wouldn’t speak ill of each other or each other’s parties. I’ve followed that rule so far, but his control has faltered a bit.” However, Ajit Pawar “won’t speak” after January 15, when the votes are cast, Fadnavis said, expressing confidence in the BJP’s performance.
When asked about being called an expert in reuniting estranged brothers, referring to the alliance between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis said he was grateful to Raj for giving him credit.
When asked if he should be given credit for Ajit Pawar and his cousin, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, joining hands against the BJP in Pune, Fadnavis jokingly said he didn’t know if the siblings had come together or if he would give them credit.
Regarding Pawar’s promise to provide free metro and civic transport to the people of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad if his alliance came to power, Fadnavis jokingly said he was thinking of announcing free air travel for women in Pune. He asked, “What does it take to make an announcement?”
