Fadnavis Didn't Seem Happy With Deputy CM's Post, Just Followed Orders, Says Sharad Pawar
The NCP chief also said that the rebel group of MLAs, who were camping in Guwahati, did not expect that their leader would become anything more than a deputy chief minister.
New Delhi: As the Maharashtra political upheaval came to an end with Eknath Shinde sworn in as the chief minister and Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy on Thursday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar claimed the latter did not seem to be happy with his new post in Shinde-government, news agency PTI reported. “I think Fadnavis has not accepted the number two position happily. His facial expression said it all,” PTI quoted Pawar as saying.
"(But) He is from Nagpur and he has worked as a 'swayamsevak' (with the RSS) and there, when an order comes, it has to be followed," the NCP chief said, adding that Fadnavis might have accepted a junior position due to these 'values'.
The NCP chief also said that the rebel group of MLAs, who were camping in Guwahati, did not expect that their leader would become anything more than a deputy chief minister.
READ | Maha Drama Ends With A Surprise Role Reversal: Eknath Shinde Is CM, Fadnavis His Deputy | Key Points
"But after the BJP's central leadership gave the orders, chief minister's post was given to Shinde. Nobody had an inkling about it. I think Shinde himself had no idea. The second surprise, which I do not think is a surprise really, is that Devendra Fadnavis, who worked as CM for five years and then opposition leader, had to take the post of Deputy CM following directions from the central leadership," Pawar said.
However, he said that such instances have happened in the past as well.
Refuting the claims that Shiv Sena’s alliance with the NCP and Congress was the primary reason behind the rebellion, Pawar said, “This allegation is baseless. It has no connection with NCP and Congress. Something has to be told to people (as an excuse), which is why NCP and Congress are being blamed.”
Pawar further added that he has spoken to Shinde and congratulated him.
Notably, while rebel Shiv Sena leader Shinde was sworn in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra earlier in the day, Devendra Fadnavis, a former chief minister, who had said he would remain outside, took oath as the deputy CM.
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