BJP hits out at Sanjay Raut; slams NCP

Mumbai: Emboldened by its new government in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a scathing attack against its former ally, Shiv Sena.

Earlier in the day, Sena leader Sanjay Raut ridiculed chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar for taking their “oath in the dark”. Hitting out at the Sena spokesperson, BJP leader Ashish Shelar quipped that Mr Raut should not teach others about honesty and democracy.

Mr Shelar, however, expressed confidence that the BJP and its allies would easily win the floor test. “We will win the floor test with a tally of over 170. Without the Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, this government will work smoothly,” the BJP leader added.   

Meanwhile, Mr Shelar objected to the removal of Mr Pawar as leader of the NCP legislature party, terming it “invalid”. Mr Pawar was removed as the NCP’s legislative unit leader on Saturday, hours after he joined hands with the BJP and took oath as deputy chief minister of Maharashtra.

“The letter of support to the governor was given by Mr Pawar as leader of the NCP’s legislature party.

Mr Pawar’s replacement with Jayant Patil is invalid,” the BJP legislator claimed.

The Sharad Pawar-led party appointed the veteran legislator, Mr Patil, as the new leader of the legislative party.