BJP Coercing NCP Leaders to Jumpship? Devendra Fadnavis Denies Sharad Pawar's Charge, Says 'Won't Induct Those Facing Probe'
'Many Congress and NCP leaders are ready to join BJP but a few chosen ones will be inducted. Those involved in an ongoing investigation by ED or any agency won't be inducted. We don't need to invite or chase anyone, people are approaching us,' Fadnavis said.
Mumbai, July 28: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday categorically rejected Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar's charge that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using investigative agencies to coerce rivals into joining the saffron camp. On the contrary, Fadnavis claimed that BJP will not accept any politician into its fold who is facing an inquiry.
"Many Congress and NCP leaders are ready to join BJP but a few chosen ones will be inducted. Those involved in an ongoing investigation by ED or any agency won't be inducted. We don't need to invite or chase anyone, people are approaching us," he said. Modi Govt Misusing Power Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019: Sharad Pawar
Fadnavis laid the onus on Pawar's leadership "failure" for the spree of exits from the NCP camp. Rather than blaming the BJP, the CM said, the veteran politician should contemplate on the situation within his own party.
"BJP has never done politics of pressuring others. In last 5 years, government helped several sugar factories, facing difficult times. There's a long list but no one was asked to join BJP for this. Pawar sahab should have introspection within his own party," he was reported as saying.
Fadnavis' scathing remarks comes a day after Pawar claimed that he personally spoke to several among the NCP deserters, and found that they were threatened by raids from the Enforcement Directorate if they did not switch sides.
Pawar's statement came shortly after the party's women wing chief Chitra Wagh submitted her shock resignation, and her close aides signalling that she is likely to formally join the BJP ahead of the assembly elections.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 28, 2019 03:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).