In a political masterstroke, BJP and a section of NCP came together to form a government in Maharashtra with Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar
of NCP as the Deputy Chief Minister.
The volte-face by the NCP leader came despite the talks between NCP-Congress to join the Shiv Sena-led government.
Why did NCP support a BJP government?
While the plausible reason given is that they joined the government for the farmers’ cause, the first part of the alliance was stitched when Pawar met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament House earlier this week. PM Modi had praised the NCP in Rajya Sabha.
The second part is to do with NCP seeking the alliance as an insurance cover to ensure that its leaders are immune from a string of cases that the CBI and ED are investigating against them.
The third has been that Pawar realised that staying away from power would have damaged their political base as well and by joining a BJP government they can play a more dominant role at the centre as well.
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What happens to the Congress and Shiv Sena?
The biggest loser is Uddhav Thackeray who wrecked an old relationship with the BJP, the new government under Fadnavis will now ensure that they further destroy Sena’s base in Maharashtra. For Uddhav too it has been a loss of face. For the Congress, they have been checkmated again and the grand old party lies in further shambles.
Current party position in Maharashtra Assembly
BJP – 105
NCP – 54
Shiv Sena – 56
Congress – 44
Other – 29