BJP may be well aware about NCP President Sharad Pawar’s power hungriness. It also expects him twist its hands one day or the other, but not just within a week of taking charge of Maharashtra government. BJP government lead by CM Devendra Fadnavis has accepted the outside support from NCP, as its ally Shivsena snap ties with it and is sitting in the opposition benches. However, even BJP high command believes there will be no threat for Fadnavis government for at least one or two years as NCP has voluntarily comes forward offering its support to his government.

 

But, Sharad Pawar gave it a big shock. Addressing his party leaders in a meeting held at Alibagh in Raigadh district of Maharashtra state, he said “I don’t think Fadnavis government may survive for a long time. It may collapse and midterm elections may come any time. So, all of you should be prepared to face the elections any time.”

 

In other words he is stating that he may withdraw his party support to Fadnavis government and may topple it any time. Currently, BJP has 121 MLAs out of 287 in the Assembly. The magic number to stay afloat is 144. So, there is short fall of 31 MLAs. But, it wins the trust vote with the support of 41 NCP MLAs and some independents. If NCP withdraws its support to Fadnavis government, it can’t survive even in case if the 20 independents support it. In such case, it badly needs its old ally Shivsena’s 63 MLAs support to stay afloat, but it is averse to for it.

 

Sharad Pawar start twisting the hands of Fadnavis government, taking advantage of his situation. So, his statement has created an alarming situation for BJP. So, its high command has to start doing some spade work to bring back Shivsena back to its fold to survive NCP’s blow.