No key Opposition leader was present at the swearing-in ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra’s chief minister in Mumbai on Thursday. In response, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar revealed on Friday that he had been invited to the event but could not attend due to the ongoing Parliament session.
“I received a call from the chief minister (Fadnavis). He himself called, but as the Parliament session is underway, I told him it was not possible for me to leave the session. But I extended my best wishes to the government,” PTI quoted Sharad Pawar as saying.
When questioned about speculations that BJP ally and former chief minister Eknath Shinde, leader of the Shiv Sena, was sidelined during the government formation process, Pawar declined to comment, stating, “I was in Delhi. I do not know what exactly happened.”
Commenting over the strategy of Opposition on EVM controversy, he said discussions are on, and after Monday some leaders would hold a meeting to discuss further.
Nana Patole Claims He Was Not Invited
Whereas, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole claimed on Friday that he was not invited to the oath-taking ceremony, but extended his good wishes, referring to Fadnavis as his “friend.” He listed his assumptions from the BJP-led government and these included the announcement of a loan waiver for farmers.
Speaking to PTI in Nagpur, he maintained he was not invited for the oath ceremony otherwise he would have attended the event. “However, my friend has become the chief minister and good wishes to him,” he said.
Both Patole, a former BJP MP, and Fadnavis are from the Vidarbha region of eastern Maharashtra. Notably, no major opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, or Patole himself, attended the event.
Patole outlined his expectations for the BJP-led government, including a loan waiver for farmers, effective measures to control inflation, resolution of issues faced by farmers and youths, and fulfilment of promises made to soybean and cotton farmers. He also urged Fadnavis to ensure Maharashtra progresses rapidly over the next five years.
The Congress leader called on the chief minister to uphold his commitment to end contract-based recruitment in government jobs and to fill nearly 2 lakh vacant posts in various departments. He also requested more Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses for rural areas and emphasised the need to improve law and order in the state while making it drug-free.
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