2014 support offer was 'ploy' to keep Sena away from BJP: Sharad Pawar

NCP president Sharad Pawar has said his offer of outside support to the BJP in 2014 to form government in Maharashtrawas a political ploy aimed to keep the Shiv Sena away from its then allyPawar admitted he took steps to widen thedistance between the BJP and Shiv Sena The two longterm saffron allies parted ways after the state Assembly elections last year over the issue of sharing the chief ministerial post Pawar said after the last years Assembly polls BJP leaders approached him to support the Devendra Fadnavis government in the state but he told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the NCP will not go with the BJP and if possible it will form government with the Sena or sit in the oppositionThe BJP doesnt believe that nonBJP parties have the right to function in a democratic set up Pawar who played a key role last year in the formation of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA comprising the Shiv Sena NCP and Congress said in an interview to Sena mouthpiece Saamana The last of the threepart interview series was published in the Marathi daily on Monday For the first time a nonShiv Sena leader has featured in a marathon interview series in the publicationI made the statement after 2014 state polls consciously since I didnt want the Shiv Sena and BJPto come together When I realised the postpoll alliance could materialise I made that statement announcing readiness to support a BJP government from outside Pawar said That didnt work out The Shiv Sena joined the government and the alliance government completed its full term he notedThe 78yearold Maratha strongman said he believed allowing the BJP to be in power in Maharashtra was not in the interest of the Shiv Sena and other parties The power at the Centre was with the BJP in 2014 and if it is the ruling party in Maharashtra it would be a loss to the Shiv Sena The BJP doesnt believe that nonBJP parties have the right to function in a democratic set up I knew all other parties face a danger The statement offering outside support was a political ploy he saidI accept that I took steps to widen the distance between the BJP and Shiv Sena the veteran politician said Pawar rejected the claim of former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis that he Pawar was in talks with the BJP to form government last year and then did a UturnSome BJP leaders spoke to my colleagues and myself about government formation saying they didnt want the Shiv Sena on board They said since I had good relations with the prime ministerhe should intervene and I should give my approval he saidHence to avoid any confusion and perception about myself and my party I met the prime minister in his chamber at Parliament House and told him the NCP will not go with the BJP If possible we will form government with the Shiv Sena or sit in the opposition Pawar said Targeting Fadnavis over his remarks that Pawar was in talks with senior BJP leaders to form government in Maharashtra he said Where was he I dont think he has a place in the decisionmaking process at the national levelFadnavis became a known face after he became chief minister while in the opposition he was only an active legislator and had no say in the BJPs decisionmaking in the state and at the national level Pawar said He said Fadnavis is yet to come to terms with not being able to form government again last yearPower is never permanent Whatever responsibility is given by people we have to take it When I lost chief ministership in 1980 I became leader of the opposition There was more fun in that role for me the former CM said What do we see today A former chief minister saying it was hard for him to digest he is no longer in power This is not good for him He should accept the reality he said Asked about operation Kamal Pawar said Operation Kamal of the BJP was misuse of power weakening and destabilising democratically elected governments by misusing the power at the Centre Operation Kamal will not work in Maharashtra and the Thackeray government will complete its full term he assertedThe Thackeray Sarkar will complete full term and MVA allies will contest the next election together he added Pawar also said that the opposition parties have the capability to provide an alternative to the nation at the Centre But due to the COVID19 pandemic the process has stopped Once this crisis is over political momentum will gain ground he said Earlier this year there were some meetings and the opposition parties discussed some policies But then the COVID19 pandemic hit the country he saidI will take the initiative Providing an alternative is the need of the hour he said Speaking about the Uddhav Thackerayled Maharashtra government Pawar said there was no problem in the dispensation but dialogue among allies was lacking It is a threeparty government and dialogue between the three parties was necessary I cant see such a dialogue If it is there you will not hear rumours of rift or differences he saidTo a question on Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi being asked by the Centre to vacate the bungalow allotted to her in Delhi Pawar said I dont think this is cultured behaviour Power should be used with humility Such things happen when the arrogance of power goes in your head Priyanka is the daughter of a former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi who was assassinated You may havepolitical differences But there is no wisdom in using the power in hand to harass political opponents he saidCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or 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