Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar denied media reports of demands that he had put forth during the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday.
Reports were to the effect that the NCP National President had demanded the Bihar pattern be implemented in Maharashtra and that after the Assembly elections, slated for the second week of November, he be made chief minister.
Ajit Pawar explained that friendly fight on 25 seats was never proposed to HM Shah.
"There is no truth in reports of a demand for the CM's post or friendly fight on 25 seats. During my meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, I discussed a whole range of issues including problems faced by the cotton, soybean and onion growers.
I strongly pleaded that onions should not be banned from exporting. Farmers will naturally get more prices for onions, if they do so. Centre has increased FRP though there has been no increase in MSP so far. I strongly pleaded with him to increase the MSP", he said.
To a question on media reports about the BJP staking claim on over 150 seats, Ajit Pawar said, "The seat sharing formula in the Mahayuti has not yet been finalised. After we fix it we will let you know the details."
The denial by the junior Pawar came a day after HM Shah had a marathon meeting with nine senior BJP leaders on Sunday night, where they made a strong case for the party to contest at least 160 seats and continue playing the role of the 'Big Brother'.
The party leaders also argued that once the BJP emerges as the single-largest party, it will be the natural claimant for the CM's post.
Besides, some of the leaders also appealed to HM Shah to leave seats for Shiv Sena and the NCP based on their strengths and winnability.
Further, Ajit Pawar said that the party has yet to take a decision on nominating its candidates for the three seats from its quota as the Governor's nominees to the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
He scoffed at media reports about the names of ex-MP Anand Paranjape, state women's commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar and party leader Siddharth Kamble being the party's choice for their nomination from the Governor's quota.
"I learnt these names from media reports. No names have been finalised yet," he said.
Ajit Pawar finally broke his silence over the objections raised by Shiv Sena ministers during the last Cabinet meeting for omitting Chief Minister Shinde's name while announcing the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme and Dy CM Pawar taking credit for it.
"The Ladki Bahin scheme has been introduced by the Mahayuti government. Constituent parties in the Grand Alliance are trying to frame and promote these schemes in their own ways," he clarified.
To a question on the possibility of a third front contesting the Assembly election in the state, Ajit Pawar said, "There is talk of a third front. The possibility of a fourth front cannot be ruled out as everyone wants to be an MLA. People of all ages want to become MLAs. Finally, the Constitution has given everybody the right to fight elections. The people are supreme."
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