As an erstwhile Maratha royal Jyotiraditya Scindia joined BJP on Wednesday, another Maratha strongman appeared to weigh in favour of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday evening said that "people have faith in Kamal Nath ji's abilities". He also said that he was "waiting to see what happens" in Madhya Pradesh.
Sharad Pawar was instrumental in forging an unimaginable alliance of Shiv Sena-NCP and Congress in Maharashtra. The Maha Vikas Aghadi, as the alliance is called, was able to keep BJP away from power even when it emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra assembly.
Known to be a shrewd politician who enjoys excellent relations across party lines, Sharad Pawar has a reputation of a man who can do the unthinkable. His words on Madhya Pradesh crisis hence assume great importance.
Kamal Nath, though still Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, is trying to hold together a government that has seen major dent in its support due to rebellion of Jyotiraditya Scindia. 22 Congress MLAs have rebelled against Kamal Nath and have tendered resignations to Speaker of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. This has put Kamal Nath government in serious jeopardy as it may not have enough numbers in Madhya Pradesh assembly.
Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday joined Bharatiya Janata Party in presence of BJP working president JP Nadda and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan.
Watch | 'Hurt' Jyotiraditya Scindia says Congress 'no longer what it used to be'
