Mumbai: The NCP seems to have decided to keep distance from the BJP and the government. NCP leader and ex-deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar announced that his party will not invite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for any function till 2019.
The announcement comes after party workers were confused over the appearance of Fadnavis and NCP leaders on the same dais at functions. It was seen that the BJP leader and CM attended functions of NCP leaders, creating confusion among party activists.
"Though sharing a cultural or personal function with BJP leaders is political maturity, it sends a wrong message among the party cadre. Hence, we have decided to keep distance and not spare this government on any front in the future," said Pawar.
Notably, Fadnavis was chief guest at Amravati where NCP Chief Sharad Pawar was felicitated for completing 50 years in his legislative career. In the function, Fadnavis praised the veteran politician and taunted their ally Shiv Sena, saying ‘generous opposition is better than a selfish friend’.
On another occasion, the Chief Minister attended 61st birth anniversary of NCP's senior leader Dilip Walse-Patil in Mumbai. Fadnavis was supposed to attend a programme of NCP State chief Sunil Tatkare's book release as a chief guest, but he cancelled his programme at the last moment.
Pawar further said that the party is going to start a padyatra on December 1 from Yavatmal in Vidarbha to Nagpur for 10 days. All top leaders including MP Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, Sunil Tatkare and Jayant Patil will take part in the Padyatra and walk for 10 days. The yatra will reach Nagpur on December 10. The winter session of the State Legislature is set to begin from December 11.
