Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday took a swipe at the
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for his criticism on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This was in the midst of the civic poll campaign in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. As per Fadnavis both had agreed on “friendly” contests regardless of both parties battling separately.
Speaking amidst an interaction with actor Girija Oak, Fadnavis voiced that it was a decision in advance amid BJP and the NCP that they wouldn’t contest the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections as allies since both being strong parties in the region.
Ajit Pawar’s NCP, a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti, has been tormenting the BJP over local governance in the run-up to polls to the January 15 Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations. He has formed an alliance with NCP(SP), led by his uncle Sharad Pawar, for the two civic bodies.
When asked about Ajit Pawar’s criticism of the BJP, Fadnavis attributed “Ajit dada only speaks, but his (Fadnavis)work speaks. They had already decided then that even if they contest against each other, it would be a friendly contest and that they would refrain from criticising each other or each other’s parties. Fadnavis has followed that rule till now, but his restraint is somewhat shaken.” But, Ajit Pawar won’t “speak” after January 15, when votes will be cast, said
Fadnavis, reposing confidence in the BJP’s performance.
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Asked that he was being dubbed an expert who brings estranged brothers together, referring to the alliance between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis said he is thankful to Raj for credit him. When asked whether he should be credited for Ajit Pawar and his cousin, NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule, joining hands against the BJP in Pune, Fadnavis quipped that he had no idea whether the brother and sister had come together or whether they would give him credit for it.
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To a question about Pawar’s ensuring of free Metro and civic transport travel to people in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad if their alliance comes to power, Fadnavis said sarcastically that he was thinking about announcing free air travel for women in Pune. “What does it take to make an announcement?” he asked.
Adding that when one knows they aren’t going to get elected, they release manifestos and say anything. But his point is that at least they should say things that people can believe, things that are actually doable“ and further said that Metro corridors not only belong to the State, but also to the Centre and that when fares are fixed for any Metro route, a fare fixation committee is formed under the law, and that committee alone has the legal authority to decide fares. Even if Fadnavis feels like waiving the fares tomorrow, heb.cannot do so.”
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He asked if none wants to give concessions and is not going to recover operational costs, where the money will come from,” “That is why talking about things that are not even in your hands is misleading,” said Mr. Fadnavis.
Punekars pay their taxes on time and do not want things for free, said the senior BJP leader. “They want reliability and good Metro and bus services. For that, they are willing to pay the minimum required cost
Reportedly, the residents of Pune are also well aware that those making such promises are not going to get elected
About tickets to candidates with criminal background, Fadnavis, who is also the State’s Home Minister, said he is perplexed why there was a need to favour such individuals when there are 60 lakh people in Pune.
He went on to say thsl⁶hose who called for an end to “koyta” (sickle-weilding gangs) menace in Pune have nominated persons with a criminal past, indirectly referring to the NCP, which has given tickets to criminal Bandu Andekar’s relatives who are in jail along with him in the murder of his grandson Ayush Komkar.
“Even if these criminals get elected, their real place is jail, not in Pimpri-Chinchwad,” asserted Mr. Fadnavis.
News Edit KV Raman