Fadnavis Takes Blame for Ajit Pawar Fiasco, Absolves Modi-Shah

Devendra Fadnavis said the decision to ally with Ajit Pawar was taken by BJP’s state leadership and not the central leaders.

(Photo: Shohini Bose/The Quint)

Video Editor: Vishal Sharma

In yet another dramatic twist in the ongoing political drama in Maharashtra, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis resigned as the chief minister of the state on Tuesday, 26 November.

Earlier during the day, NCP’s Ajit Pawar had resigned from the post of Deputy CM, sources had told The Quint.

The development came hours after the Supreme Court ordered the Fadnavis-led government to prove its majority in a floor test by 5 pm on Wednesday. After Fadnavis’ resignation announcement, it was announced that Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress will hold a meeting to elect the alliance leader later in the day.

Going With Ajit Pawar Was a State Decision, Not the Centre’s: Fadnavis

Absolving the central leadership of any responsibility for the failure of BJP-Ajit Pawar alliance, Devendra Fadnavis said the decision to ally with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s nephew was taken by the party’s state leadership. He stated:

“Any decision happens in the state, not at the Centre. The decision to go with Ajit Pawar was the decision of the state leadership. And I don’t think this will malign my clean image. I am who I am and Maharashtra’s public knows it very well. They have accepted me.”

Devendra Fadnavis

Fadnavis also said that the Sena-NCP-Congress government will fail to function for a long time as “it will crumble under its own weight.”

“I doubt that this three-wheeler government will be stable but BJP will work as an effective Opposition and try to raise the voice of people,” he said.

What the Supreme Court Had Said

“After the Supreme Court asked for a floor test on Wednesday, Ajit Pawar came to my house and said that he cannot continue with alliance,” Fadnavis said while addressing the media.

The apex court had asked Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to appoint a pro tem speaker and ensure that all the elected members of the House are sworn in on Wednesday itself, thus paving the way for the floor test.