Mumbai, Dec 04, TEN Network | Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday alleged that conspiracies were being hatched to remove his party from Maharashtra.
Notably, Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar had on December 2 claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had offered him to “work together” during the recent turmoil in Maharashtra. However, he refused the offer.
The NCP supremo added that he had told PM Modi that he shares good ties with him, but their “working together was not possible”.
Notably, after splitting from the BJP-led NDA over the issue of a rotational Chief Minister, Shiv Sena had joined hands with Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party and Congress. During Shiv Sena’s consultation with both the parties over the government formation in Maharashtra, Pawar’s sudden meeting with the Prime Minister had sparked speculations of a BJP-NCP alliance.
Sharad Pawar further rebuffed reports that the Modi government had proposed to make him India’s President.
Notably, it was Pawar who is believed to have convinced an initially-reluctant Congress’ interim chief Sonia Gandhi to give her consent to form an alliance with Shiv Sena.
“Conspiracies were being hatched to remove Shiv Sena from Maharashtra. There was an attempt to make Sharad Pawar sahab a part of the conspiracy, but he did not fall for it,” Sanjay Raut was quoted as saying by a news agency on Wednesday.
In an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana‘ today, the Shiv Sena wondered why it took the BJP five years to realise Sharad Pawar’s “utility and experience”.
“We wonder why the BJP took five years to realise Pawar’s utility and experience. Had the NCP won less than 55 seats in the Assembly polls, the BJP would not have tried to woo the party.”
Interestingly, NCP MP Supriya Sule, the daughter of Sharad Pawar, had yesterday said she was humbled by the PM’s proposal that she should be part of the Union Cabinet.
“I was not in the conversation (between NCP president Sharad Pawar and Modi). I thank the Prime Minister from the bottom of my heart to show such faith and confidence in me. I am totally humbled by what he has said. But Mr Pawar has categorically, very humbly told the Prime Minister that it is not possible,” Sule told a news agency.
In the October 21 Maharashtra Assembly Elections, the BJP bagged 105 seats, Shiv Sena – 56, NCP – 54 and Congress – 44. (TN)
