Sharad Pawar defection hailed as strategy, but Shinde accused of betrayal: Fadnavis

The deputy CM said, “What is really shocking is that the NCP has also raised questions on the Shinde faction and termed its decision to form an alliance with the BJP as an act of betrayal.”

“When you talk about their deeds they get upset. In 1978, Sharad Pawar was a minister in the Vasantdada Patil-led Congress government in Maharashtra. Pawar along with 40 MLAs left the Congress. The rebel faction led by Pawar sought help from the Opposition including the right-wing Jana Sangh,” Fadnavis added.

Fadnavis further said: “When Pawar revolted to form a government, it was hailed as a strategy. But when Eknath Shinde did the same, he was accused of betrayal… Now, instead of accepting the facts, Pawar is either trying to skirt the issue or knowingly diverting it.”

Earlier in the day, Pawar said: “In 1978, Fadnavis must have been in primary school. He is ignorant.”

Responding to the Maratha strongman’s statement, Fadnavis said: “Yes, I was in primary school (in 1978). The issue is not whether I was in primary school or if I was born. Pawar defected from the Vasantdada Patil government in 1978. Thereafter, he formed the Progressive Democratic Front government and became the CM. At least in the case of Shinde, he has a justification. The Shinde faction did not want to compromise on Hindutva ideology.”

The OBC issue has also emerged as a bone of contention between the two former chief ministers. Fadnavis’s charge that the NCP has always denied plum posts to OBC leaders invited sharp criticism from Pawar.

The Maratha strongman said, “The first state NCP president was Chhagan Bhujbal who represented the OBC community.” Pawar then listed the names of some NCP leaders who hailed from the OBC community. “I am not sure how much he (Fadnavis) reads or knows,” the NCP chief said.

Responding to Pawar’s statement, the deputy CM said: “I have not made these allegations. Bhujbal had demanded that OBC leaders should be considered for the state NCP president’s role.”