Union Minister Ramdas Athawale claimed that similar to Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar's big move of joining the Eknath Shinde government as deputy chief minister, leaders of Samajwadi Party and Janata Dal (United) may also want to become Bharatiya Janata Party allies.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale claims that a similar situation as Maharashtra may arise in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. His comment comes a day after Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister in the Eknath Shinde government with a backing of a pool of NCP leaders.
According to Ramdas Athawale, differences may arise between the Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Samajwadi Party under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh and Janata Dal (United) leaders under Nitish Kumar government in Bihar.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment told the media, "A similar situation (like currently in Maharashtra) can arise in Bihar soon as some JD(U) MLAs are upset with Nitish Kumar. In Uttar Pradesh, Jayant Chaudhary can join with NDA as is currently upset with Akhilesh Yadav. There is a possibility that differences arise between MLAs of the Samajwadi Party."
Athawale welcomed Ajit Pawar's big move and claimed that Pawar was miffed with party leadership Sharad Pawar for not agreeing to become Bharatiya Janata Paty ally. He reportedly said, "Ajit Pawar was miffed for some time because he wanted the NCP to ally with BJP but Sharad Pawar disagreed. I welcome the decision of Ajit Pawar. This is a big change and a big setback for the NCP and MVA."
Meanwhile, Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party chief Samrat Choudhary told the media today, "We don't want to break (JD-U), we will defeat JDU-RJD alliance in Bihar in 2024 general elections."
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also welcomed Ajit Pawar into his government as he claimed that with two deputy chief ministers, his government has now become a triple engine. He told the media, "Now we have 1 Chief Minister and 2 Deputy Chief Ministers. The double-engine government has now become triple engine. For the development of Maharashtra, I welcome Ajit Pawar and his leaders. Ajit Pawar's experience will help strengthen Maharashtra."
Today Sharad Pawar met the NCP workers in Karad where he said that uniting the party is his responsibility. He reportedly said, "My interest is to reunite the party and it’s my responsibility. Uniting the party and making it strong is my responsibility. I am heading the party. I am the president of the party…How many are with you is not important. Important is the organisation."