Initially, not many were aware why the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) snapped ties with Congress and withdrew support from Prithviraj Chavan-led government on Thursday soon after BJP’s announcement of breaking alliance with Shiv Sena. According to sources, the NCP ensured there would be complete break-up between BJP and Shiv Sena before they toppled Congress government as a plan to seek revenge against Chavan. By doing so, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP ensured that Sena-BJP couldn’t form the government.

(R-L) Sharad Pawar allegedly played a big role in Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan’s resignation

The drama will come full circle with the imposition of President’s rule, which is imminent with Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao’s report to the union government in a day or two. According to senior bureaucrats from Mantralaya, if BJP and Sena would have studied the political developments they would have enjoyed power during the electoral code of conduct.