NCP's Sharad Pawar Faction Leader Claims BJP Planning to Dump its Maharashtra Allies

Mumbai: Senior NCP leader Jitendra Awhad from the Sharad Pawar faction has caused a stir in Maharashtra politics by predicting that the BJP is planning to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls without its partners - the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP - in the state.

Awhad's statement has come on the backdrop of a meeting between the MLAs of BJP and Shinde camp, who had visited the RSS headquarters at Reshimbaug in Nagpur during the recently concluded Winter Session of the Maharashtra Legislature. The meeting was seen as an attempt to strengthen the relationship between two parties ahead of forthcoming elections. However, Awhad has claimed that the BJP has decided to go alone in the state.

The NCP leader shared a post on X in which he said, "After the end of the winter session in Nagpur, Some shocking political talks have begun (in the state). The RSS and the BJP (functionaries) held an ideological meeting at Nagpur, in which the possible political scenario in Maharashtra after the assembly polls in three states was discussed. It was decided that the BJP should contest alone in Maharashtra without taking along those who are tainted with corruption charges."

One who understand politics will easily come to know that the BJP will fight separately. Those who want to come with the BJP will be asked to contest on the lotus symbol. You cannot tell what is going to happen next in Maharashtra, said Awhad.

According to sources, BJP's confidence has skyrocketed after its commanding wins in the assembly polls recently held in three states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The saffron party think-tank believes that it can win on its own in Maharashtra.

Few days back, the Shinde faction MPs too had reportedly proposed to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on the lotus symbol. However, the BJP has not yet given its green symbol to the proposal, said party sources.