Nagpur/Pune: The Bharatiya Janata Party never contacted NCP leader Ajit Pawar and certain imaginary news is being spread, State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule claimed on Monday.
He said, in fact, the junior Pawar is being targeted by Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party, and Congress. Speaking to reporters in Pune on the sidelines of a conclave of BJP’s in-charges of poll booths, Bawankule claimed Sharad Pawar’s decision to resign as NCP chief and subsequent U-turn was nothing but a “nautanki” (drama). He said the entire resignation episode was “scripted”.
“Neither I nor Ajit Pawar have been in contact with each other for the last four months. In fact, the junior Pawar is being targeted by MVA. We (BJP) never contacted Ajitdada and imaginary news is being circulated,”he said. Intense speculation about Ajit Pawar’s future political steps started doing rounds last month after Sharad Pawar reportedly told Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray that NCP will never join hands with the BJP, even if anyone takes an individual decision to do so. On his part, Ajit Pawar had scotched such speculation and said he would remain in NCP till he lives.
Queried about the churn caused by Sharad Pawar’s announcement to step down as NCP President and subsequent withdrawal of that decision, Bawankule said the developments in NCP over three days were a script and everyone knew about it.
“I strongly believe so though some people may differ. But the pertinent question is how will a big leader like SharadPawar who became President of several cooperative bodies including Rayat Shikshan Sanstha by altering their constitutions, can allow anyone to become the president of the party founded by him?” the BJP leader questioned. Bawankule said he knew about the recent “game” in the NCP. “This episode was nothing but a ‘vagnatya’ (folk drama)”.