NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday took a dig at Prime minister Narendra Modi on the latter’s claims of coming back to power in 2024. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had made the same statement once and had to settle for a ‘lower post,’ he said.

“Modi should seek guidance from Fadnavis, who was once a CM. Fadnavis had also said “mi punha yein” (I’ll come back again), but he didn’t return as CM and instead had to settle for a lower position. Modi is following in the footsteps of Fadnavis,” Pawar said while addressing his party’s rally at Beed.

PM Modi, in his 10th address to the nation on Independence Day this year said that he will return to the Red Fort again next year to give the government’s report card. “I will be back next year to address you from the Red Fort. Next time, on August 15, at this very Red Fort I will speak of the achievements of our country,” the Prime Minister had said.

The veteran leader also claimed that people have decided not to vote the BJP to power in the next elections.

“The BJP governments are there only in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. It is not in power in states like Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal. In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP toppled the Kamal Nath government and grabbed power,” Pawar said.

“It means people have already decided whom to vote for in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It will be seen in the coming elections. Hence, Modi may say ‘mi punha yein’ loudly, but I have no doubts that he will meet the same fate of Fadnavis,” he added.

Commenting on his remarks, Fadnavis said he did not come to power (in 2019) due to the “betrayal of some people.”

“The fear of “mi punha yein” is being seen today also. I would like to tell him (Pawar) that people had voted me to power, but I could not become the CM due to the betrayal of some people,” Fadnavis said in Shirdi.