As a poor election performance puts Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti alliance in the dock, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Thursday. He is said to have reiterated his willingness to quit, after taking moral responsibility for the alliance's dismal performance.
The ruling Mahayuti includes the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the NCP headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Mahayuti won just 17 seats as opposed to the MVA, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT)-led by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and the Sharad Pawar-headed NCP (SP), which won 30 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.
Taking responsibility for the results, Fadnavis said he was requesting the BJP high command to relieve him from the responsibility of the government so that he can work hard for the party in the upcoming elections. "I will, however, try to fulfil whatever is lacking and won't run away from my responsibilities," he added.
On meeting Shah, Fadnavis reportedly insisted on quitting as there was a need to work at the organisational level ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
The Deputy Chief Minister is also said to have told the senior leadership that fielding the sitting MPs had resulted in the disaster. He also pointed fingers at the lack of coordination between the three Mahayuti partners, and the delayed process of finalising the alliance’s seat sharing as causes.
Fadnavis also aired his disappointment and anger over the decision taken by BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, who played a key role in changes in the candidature, Hindustan Times quoted a BJP leader.
However, the leadership is said to have asked him to continue, and may also give him more freedom to operate at the state level.
There are also reports that the RSS leadership, which met Fadnavis at his residence on Thursday, wants him to continue, at least till the Maharashtra state elections scheduled later this year. Sangh leadership too believes that Fadnavis quitting at this juncture would have a negative impact.
Meanwhile, NCP leader Ajit Pawar too has taken responsibility for the party's poor performance. He also dismissed speculations that his party MLAs might ditch his faction to join Sharad Pawar's.
The opposition can say anything. I have always had the support of the people. My MLAs, and MLCs have assured me they will always stand by me," he said. He also addressed the Baramati failure where sitting MP Supriya Sule defeated his wife Sunetra Pawar by a huge margin. "The result is surprising since I always had the support of the people there."
Pawar said reasons for his faction's poor show included Muslims moving away from the ruling alliance, the Opposition's allegations of change in the Constitution, which alienated the Dalits and backward classes, as well as ongoing Maratha quota stir in Marathwada.
On Fadnavis's statement about quitting his post following the poll debacle, Pawar said he will talk to Fadnavis in Delhi on Friday. I am going to Delhi tomorrow for the NDA meeting," Pawar added.
