‘Ajit Pawar will be next CM of Maharashtra as BJP cannot face 2024 Lok Sabha with Eknath Shinde’: Prithviraj Chavan
The Hindu
Prithviraj Chavan said that the BJP high command wants Ajit Pawar as next Maharashtra CM to face the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He also questioned the anti-defection law’s effectiveness and the NCP's tardiness in pursuing action against Ajit Pawar’s rebel faction.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior Congressman Prithviraj Chavan on Monday reiterated his belief that the BJP high command had decided to make Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar the next CM of the State as it could not hope to face the electorate in the 2024 Lok Sabha election with current CM Eknath Shinde.
Speaking on the premises of the Vidhan Sabha during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the State Legislature, Mr. Chavan also questioned the effectiveness of the anti-defection law, while criticising the main NCP faction under Sharad Pawar for its tardiness in pursuing action against the rebel faction led by Mr. Ajit Pawar.
“The extremely crucial 2024 Lok Sabha contest will decide whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will remain in power or not. It is my opinion as a political analyst and on the basis of information whose source I cannot reveal, that the BJP high command thinks the party will not be able to face the election with Eknath Shinde. Hence, a decision has been taken to hand over the reins of the State to Ajit Pawar, who is already part of the government,” Mr. Chavan said.
Also Read | Rumours that Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde will resign being deliberately planted, say Shinde-led Shiv Sena
The Congress leader opined that as Mr. Shinde had not been able to extend his influence beyond his stronghold Thane, the BJP high command was thinking that the party stood a far better chance in the elections next year with Mr. Ajit Pawar as CM.
“It is my thinking that Mr. Shinde and his MLAs will be disqualified by the Speaker [Rahul Narwekar] before August 10 or even sooner as per the Supreme Court’s judgment on the disqualification petition of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs,” Mr. Chavan said.
The Congress leader said that in keeping with PM Modi’s “use and throw” style, Mr. Shinde’s time was apparently up as his utility to the BJP was over.
Nirangal Moondru movie review: Atharvaa, Sarathkumar and Rahman headline Nirangal Moondru, an imperfect yet intriguing tale on parenthood, lost causes and redemption
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders oppose Union government's decision to construct nuclear power plant in Srikakulam district.
Tiruchi Corporation invites tenders for 11-km link road construction connecting Panjapur to Kudamuriti river, costing ₹340 crore.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to counter opposition's farm loan waiver criticism at Farmers Conference in Mahabubnagar on November 30.
UDF cadre celebrate Palakkad win with trolley bags, highlighting political drama in byelections.
India tour of Australia: Border-Gavaskar Trophy first Test in Perth: Debutant Harshit Rana press conference on his performance and about his dream debut in Australia
The Cyber Crime Wing, Tamil Nadu, has issued a public warning about a scam targeting Unified Payments Interface (UPI) users. Multiple incidents of unauthorised bank transactions through UPI applications, particularly PhonePe, have been reported recently, the police said.
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao criticizes Congress for BJP's success, emphasizes importance of regional parties in Indian politics.
A 62-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (November 23, 2024) by the Natrampalli Police for allegedly growing ganja in the backyard of his house near Jolarpet town in Tirupattur.
Manipur Government extends mobile internet suspension in seven districts amid escalating violence for public safety.
A special team comprising 11 police personnel, including a few officers from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, conducted a probe at a private dairy unit in Dindigul in connection with the Tirumala laddu case on Saturday (November 23, 2024).