Maharashtra news: Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday (September 10) denied that the ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had proposed a friendly fight in 25 assembly seats in the state on which there is a tussle among the ruling alliance partners.
Pawar also denied media reports of demands set forth by him during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday (September 9). He also clarified that he never proposed to Amit Shah a friendly fight on 25 seats.
According to the reports, the NCP National President demanded the implementation of the Bihar pattern in Maharashtra and making him chief minister after the Assembly elections slated for the second week of November.
“There is no truth in reports of a demand for the CM’s post or friendly fight on 25 seats. During my meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, I discussed a whole range of issues including problems faced by the cotton, soyabean and onion growers.
“I made a strong appeal not to ban onion exports. If the farmers are getting more price from the sale of onions, they should get it. Although the Centre has increased the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), there has been no rise so far in the Minimum Support Price (MSP). I strongly urged him to increase the MSP,” he said.
Chandrashekhar Bawankule denies reports of friendly fights
The BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP led by him will sort out ticket distribution issues for all 288 assembly seats together, Pawar told media in Pune. Elsewhere, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule too denied reports that there was a proposal to allow friendly fights on some seats.
"I don't know about the news report you are referring to. I did meet Amit bhai (Amit Shah) as he was in Mumbai on Monday. I spoke to him over the price issues of soyabean, cotton, the ban on onion export. The news report is incorrect," Ajit Pawar said.
Asked if there could be friendly contests on some seats if the three parties failed to reach a consensus, he said all this was speculation.
"We have done the discussion over most of the seats, (discussion) over some seats is left. We will inform when it is finalised," Pawar said.
Mahayuti's seat-sharing formula not finalised yet
To a question on media reports about the BJP staking claim on over 150 seats, Ajit Pawar said, “The seat-sharing formula in the Mahayuti has not yet been finalised. After we fix it we will let you know the details.”
The junior Pawar’s denial came a day after HM Shah had a marathon meeting with nine senior BJP leaders on Sunday night where they made a strong case for the party to contest at least 160 seats and continue playing the ‘Big Brother’s’ role.
The party leaders also argued that after the BJP emerges as the single-largest party, it will be the natural claimant for the CM’s post. Besides, some of the leaders also appealed to HM Shah to leave seats for Shiv Sena and the NCP based on their strengths and winnability.
Further, Ajit Pawar said that the party has yet to take a decision on nominating its candidates for the three seats from its quota as the Governor’s nominees to the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
He scoffed at media reports about the names of former MP Anand Paranjape, state women’s commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar and party leader Siddharth Kamble as the party’s choice for their nomination from the Governor’s quota.
“I learnt these names from media reports. No names have been finalised yet,” he said.
Ajit Pawar on 'Ladki Bahin Scheme'
Ajit Pawar broke his silence over the objections raised by Shiv Sena ministers during the last Cabinet meeting for omitting Chief Minister Shinde’s name from the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme and Dy CM Pawar taking credit for it.
“The Ladki Bahin scheme has been introduced by the Mahayuti government. Constituent parties in the Grand Alliance are trying to frame and promote these schemes in their own ways,” he clarified.
To a question on the possibility of a third front contesting the Assembly election in the state, Ajit Pawar said, “There is talk of a third front. The possibility of a fourth front cannot be ruled out as everyone wants to be an MLA. People of all ages want to become MLAs. Finally, the Constitution has given everyone the right to fight elections. The people are supreme.”
ALSO READ: Ajit Pawar meets Amit Shah ahead of Maharashtra polls: 'Will sit together to discuss all 288 seats'
ALSO READ: Ajit Pawar stops convoy to aid road accident victim in Pune | WATCH heartwarming moment
