NCP’s Sharad Pawar admits talks with BJP in 2019, calls it political ‘googly’

Pawar also took on Fadnavis pointing to an increase in crime against women in Maharashtra. “A large number of girls or women are missing from across the state. He should focus on providing security and safety to women of state instead of making political statement,” Pawar said.

Despite losing power in the state in 2014, the NCP remained a significant player in Maharashtra politics. The party had publicly offered external support to the BJP, anticipating potential disagreements within the NDA over the chief ministerial post, as the BJP had won more seats than the Shiv Sena. However, the NCP’s attempt to create a divide within the NDA did not yield the desired results, as the Shiv Sena accepted the BJP’s claim to the chief minister’s position as the largest party in the alliance.

In 2019, a similar situation arose, but the dispute over the chief ministerial post led to a rift within the saffron alliance. As the Shiv Sena refused to concede to the BJP’s demand for a full five-year term for the chief minister, the BJP managed to secure Ajit Pawar’s support to form a new government, hoping that the NCP would follow suit. However, under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, the NCP did not support the government, which eventually collapsed due to a lack of majority. Instead, the NCP, along with the Congress, joined forces with the Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state, with Uddhav Thackeray as the chief minister.

Meanwhile, the BJP capitalised on the split within the Shiv Sena under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. The MVA government eventually collapsed, and a new government was formed last year, with the BJP and Shinde-led Sena, with Shinde assuming the role of chief minister and Fadnavis as deputy chief minister.

Pawar questions need for UCC; state Cong sets up panel to study implications

Pune, Mumbai: Calling the bid to revive the debate around Uniform Civil code (UCC) an attempt to divert focus and the result of growing restlessness in the BJP over Opposition meeting in Patna, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday urged the Centre to take into account the ‘900 opinions’ received by the Law Commission on implementation of UCC.

“The Prime Minister recently raised the issue of UCC. The matter is with the Law Commission and I have heard that it has received 900 opinions. I have also learnt that the Sikh community has expressed reservation over it. The stand of Sikh, Christian and Jain communities should be taken into account…” he said.

On Thursday, Maharashtra Congress formed a nine-member committee chaired by former MP Bhalachandra Munagekar to study possible implications of implementation of UCC in the state. “Different religious groups have varied opinions and confusion about the UCC. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole has formed a committee…to study possible implications of the implementation of UCC,” the Congress stated. Atul Londhe of MPCC said directives have been given to all state committees to form such study groups.— ENS