BJP Stages ‘Coup’ In Maharashtra, Forms Govt With NCP

Mumbai:  In a startling development, BJP and NCP formed an alliance government in Maharashtra after President’s rule, imposed in the state a fortnight ago, was revoked on Saturday morning.

According to a Union Home Ministry notification, President Ram Nath Kovind issued the proclamation for revocation of Central rule. The gazette notification to this effect was issued by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla at 5.47 am.

Following this, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and NCP’s Ajit Pawar took oath as the chief minister and deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, respectively.

Ajit Pawar is the nephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who on Friday said that all the three members of a new prospective governing alliance —NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress — wanted Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as the chief minister, India Today reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to congratulate the new chief minister. PM Modi tweeted, “Congratulations to Devendra Fadnavis Ji and Ajit Pawar Ji on taking oath as the CM and Deputy CM of Maharashtra respectively. I am confident they will work diligently for the bright future of Maharashtra.”

Reacting to the startling development, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar on Saturday said Ajit Pawar’s decision to support BJP to form government in Maharashtra is his personal decision and not of the party’s.

On her part, Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule conveyed a big message through her WhatsApp status: “Party and family split”. Moments later, the status message read: “Who do (you) trust in life never felt so cheated in my life… defended him loved him, look what I get in return.”

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut held a press conference where he accused Ajit Pawar of backstabbing the people of Maharashtra. “Paap ke saudagar,” he tweeted later.