Ajit Pawar calls for parties to unite against ruling BJP

Mumbai: In a bid to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) subtle campaign, NCP leader Ajit Pawar floated a roadmap on Friday. Mr. Pawar called for all parties to unite against the BJP in case of defection and fight one on one in the by-elections if MLAs switch to the ruling party.

Taking this possibility into consideration, Ajit Pawar informed Congress leaders that he has spoken to Sena leaders about the situation.

“If BJP poaches Sena MLAs then in by—elections, we shall support Sena’s candidate in the concerned constituency. Similar will be the case with Congress and NCP. It will make those by—elections direct and division of anti—BJP votes could be avoided.”

While the Congress has not yet reacted to Mr Pawar’s proposal, Sena too has decided to wait and watch the BJP’s moves.

The BJP, claiming that members from various parties have expressed their willingness to switch over, held a core committee meeting on Thursday evening to discuss a set of possible scenarios including interim polls. Power corridors of Maharashtra politics are abuzz with rumours about the BJP leadership planning to ditch the Shiv Sena from their alliance in the state government.

If this holds true, BJP will require support from other party MLAs in order to save its government. Since past few days, party leaders are indicating that 29 MLAs from other parties, especially the Congress and NCP, are in touch with the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. As per further claims by some BJP sources, these 29 MLAs are ready to switch over at any given time. In such a case, MLAs must resign as per anti-defection law otherwise his membership will be cancelled.

Meanwhile, on a third consecutive day on Friday, Assembly proceedings took place without opposition parties. On suspension of 19 MLAs, opposition parties have boycotted the proceedings of the house.