Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday clarified the reasons for switching sides and joining hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena in the state. Last year in June, Pawar made the surprise move after he broke away from the rank and file of the Nationalist Congress Party joining the BJP-Shiv Sena government in the state along with his loyalists.
"I have taken my own role intending to complete the development works without any compromise with an ideology and objective," said the Deputy CM in a late night post on X on Sunday.
"I found the development work being done in this country under the leadership of PM Modi and HM Amit Shah to be important. I liked their qualities like sharp leadership and correct decision-making process," he added.
"My working style and theirs are very similar. I have no intention of disrespecting elders..." Pawar said.
Earlier on Sunday, Pawar said that a vast majority of people of the country want Narendra Modi to be prime minister for a third term and everyone in the ruling alliance in Maharashtra is working towards this goal.
Addressing a farmer's rally from his assembly constituency of Baramati in Pune, the Deputy CM said he was starting his campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from his "home ground."
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"You have always showered me with blessings and that is I am standing in front of you. You helped me become Pune district's guardian minister," he told the gathering.
"More than 65 per cent people want Narendra Modi to be PM again. In the coming days, I'll work hard and everyone will be surprised. The Mahayuti (ruling alliance) will work together to ensure NDA wins 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls," he asserted.