Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday targeted Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for criticizing BJP during the municipal corporation election campaign in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. CM Fadnavis said that despite both the parties contesting elections separately, they had agreed on a 'friendly' contest. During a conversation with actress Girija Oak, Fadnavis said that BJP and NCP had decided long ago that they would not contest the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections as an alliance. This is because both the parties are strong in this area.
Ajit Pawar's NCP, part of the ruling Grand Alliance, has been continuously targeting the BJP over local governance ahead of the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections to be held on January 15. He has formed an alliance with his uncle Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) for these two municipal bodies.
When asked about Ajit Pawar's criticism of BJP, Fadnavis said that Ajit Dada only speaks, but my work speaks. We had already decided that even if we contest against each other, it will be a friendly contest and we will avoid criticizing each other or each other's parties. I have followed that rule till now, but his restraint has wavered a bit. However, Fadnavis expressed confidence in BJP's performance and said that Ajit Pawar will not speak after the voting on January 15.
When asked, he is being called an expert in bringing separated brothers together. Referring to the alliance between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis said he thanked Raj for giving him credit for it.
When asked whether he should get credit for joining hands with Ajit Pawar and his cousin, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule against the BJP in Pune? On this question, CM Fadnavis quipped that he did not know whether the brothers and sisters had come together or not and whether they would give them credit for it. When asked about Ajit Pawar's promises of free travel in metro and urban transport to the people of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad if the coalition government is formed, Fadnavis sarcastically said that he is thinking of announcing free air travel for women in Pune. He asked what does it take to make an announcement?
