Allies may feel betrayed: Rohit Pawar warns of internal shake-up in ruling camp in Maharashtra

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar. File Pic

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Sunday said that, contrary to speculation about efforts to poach Opposition legislators in Maharashtra, a key party within the ruling Mahayuti alliance may instead shift its attention towards its own allies.

Warns of possible defections within ruling alliance

He said there was credible information that, by the end of next month, a "big party in power" may engineer defections within the ruling alliance. In an apparent swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pawar cautioned smaller partners to remain vigilant.

"While the BJP may currently project a stance of unwavering friendship towards its allies, the situation could change, leading to a sense of betrayal among partners," Pawar said in a post on X.

Mahayuti alliance composition

The BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Sunetra Pawar's NCP are partners in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government.

‘Operation Tiger' buzz and Shinde's response

Over the past few days, there has been buzz that the Shiv Sena has secretly launched ‘Operation Tiger' in a bid to induce defections among leaders of the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) led by former CM Uddhav Thackeray.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday dismissed these reports as baseless, saying the aim of such rumours was to "create sensation".

Pawar reiterates warning to allies

However, Pawar reiterated in his post on X, "The reality is quite different. There is credible information that, by the end of next month, a major party in power will instead target its own allies."

"While the BJP today may display a sentiment of ‘we will never abandon our friends', tomorrow its allies may well feel ‘you have betrayed us'. Therefore, it would be wise for allies to remain cautious to ensure they do not become targets themselves," he added.

‘Kharat episode' sparks fresh controversy

The Opposition NCP (SP) leader also alleged that a recent controversy involving a "fraudulent Kharat episode", which he claimed had brought disrepute to the state, was not accidental but deliberately orchestrated, and described it as "just the beginning".

Godman Ashok Kharat arrest triggers political storm

Notably, Nashik-based self-proclaimed godman and astrologer Ashok Kharat was recently arrested and faces nearly a dozen cases, eight of them related to sexual assault.

The ‘godman' heads a temple trust in Sinnar in Nashik district and has met several political leaders over the years. After Kharat's arrest, his photos with prominent politicians went viral, triggering a political firestorm in the state.

(With PTI inputs)