Shruti Suman
On Monday, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader, Devendra Fadnavis, refuted Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan’s claim that Ajit Pawar would replace Eknath Shinde as the Chief Minister in August.
Fadnavis stated that Ajit Pawar is fully aware that he will not be appointed as the Chief Minister, and this information was conveyed to him during meetings held before July 2.
Responding to Chavan’s assertion that Ajit Pawar, a senior NCP leader and part of the state government, would become Chief Minister around August 10, Fadnavis clarified that the only event expected by that date is the expansion of the Cabinet.
“As the leader of the largest party in the ‘Mahayuti’ (grand alliance), I officially state that Ajit Pawar will not become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra,” Fadnavis told reporters at Vidhan Bhavan.
During the Mahayuti meetings before the induction of the NCP faction into the government on July 2, Ajit Pawar was clearly informed that he would not be appointed as Chief Minister, emphasized the BJP leader.
Fadnavis stressed that Eknath Shinde will continue as Chief Minister, and there will be no change in that regard.
He further revealed that Ajit Pawar was given a clear understanding of the power-sharing formula, and he had agreed to it. Ajit had also made it clear in his speech that there was no discussion about changing the leadership in Maharashtra.
Fadnavis rebuked Prithviraj Chavan for spreading rumors and confusing people about Mahayuti. He stated that leaders may not be confused, but party workers might get perplexed. Fadnavis clarified that if any changes were to happen by August 10, it would pertain to the Cabinet expansion, and the Chief Minister would make that decision.
On July 2, Ajit Pawar and 8 MLAs from NCP joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government. Ajit Pawar took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister, and the MLAs were sworn in as ministers. Subsequently, the finance department was assigned to Sharad Pawar’s nephew.
Eknath Shinde had stated that Ajit Pawar’s entry into the government posed no threat to his position as Chief Minister.
