'Indulging In Kite Flying': Fadnavis On Chavan's Claim That Ajit Pawar Will Become Maha CM In August

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis dismissed Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's claim that NCP stalwart Ajit Pawar will replace incumbent Eknath Shinde as the state's chief minister in August.

File Photo of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar during a cabinet meeting.

Source : Twitter/@MaharashtraCMO

After senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Monday claimed that NCP stalwart Ajit Pawar will be appointed as the chief minister of Maharashtra around August 10 replacing the incumbent Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis remarked that there is "clarity" among the ruling coalition that Shinde is the Chief Minister and will remain the Chief Minister. Previously, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had also previously claimed that Ajit Pawar will take over the top post.

Chavan claimed that a decision on the disqualification of CM Shinde and 15 other MLAs of Shiv Sena will be taken around August 10. "After deciding the disqualification of Shinde and other MLAs, incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would be anointed as the chief minister around August 10," the former chief minister told a regional news channel, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Speaking to the media, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis stressed, "Nowadays, several senior leaders can be seen making speculations. They may speculate as much as they want. When we formed the Maha Yuti alliance, all three leaders of all three parties were clear that the CM is Eknath Shinde and he will continue to be the CM. There is not going to be any change to this."

"As the leader of the biggest party of Maha Yuti, I would like to clearly say this — nobody should have any confusion in their mind. If Opposition tries to create confusion, it means they are indulging in kite flying and their kite will come down (unki patang kat jayegi)," he added.

VIDEO | "It is pretty much clear among the BJP, NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Shiv Sena (Shinde) that Eknath Shinde is the CM of 'Mahayuti' and he will remain the CM. There will not be any change," says Maharashtra Deputy CM @Dev_Fadnavis. pic.twitter.com/iImEDJRUvs

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2023

Earlier in the day, Chavan also claimed that the BJP is not keen on contesting the next Lok Sabha elections under Shinde "as he wields no influence outside his home district of Thane". "The BJP now has an alternative in Ajit Pawar,” he added, as quoted by PTI.

The Congress leader alleged that it would happen as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "use and throw" style of work. "This is the fate of Shinde. The understanding of top BJP leadership indicates they want to make Ajit Pawar the chief minister and face elections,” he added.

Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut too made similar claims when Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government on July 2.

While Ajit Pawar was made the deputy chief minister, the MLAs were sworn in as ministers. Later, the nephew of Sharad Pawar got the crucial finance department.

Shinde had said Ajit Pawar's entry into the government was not a threat to him. 

CM Shinde's Meet With PM Modi 'Smells Of Farewell': Prithviraj Chavan

Speaking to news agency ANI, Prithviraj Chavan said that he can't reveal his sources for the information he got, "I talked about it a long time back, immediately after the split in NCP happened. It is just an analysis based on some information. The anti-defection decision against the Eknath Shinde group, which is pending before Maharashtra Assembly Speaker, will be delivered within the 90-day period, around 10th August."

"There is no way the Shinde group can escape disqualification because they have clearly violated the 10th Schedule. So, the position of CM will become vacant. The CM went and called on the PM with his family. This visit has raised eyebrows. This smells of farewell," he remarked in reference to CM Shinde's meeting with PM Modi.

Regarding his meeting with PM Modi last week, the Maharashtra Chief Minister said: “It was a courtesy call. My father was keen to meet the prime minister. I am glad his wish has been fulfilled.”

He said he missed his mother Gangubai, who passed away a few years ago. "I thank Hon. Modiji for affectionately enquiring and sharing quality time with my family," the Chief Minister later tweeted after four generations of the Shinde family returned from Lok Kalyan Marg residence. 

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