Adani wasn't part of 2019 talks but Pawar was, and he betrayed us: Fadnavis

MUMBAI: Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis told TOI on Thursday that businessman Gautam Adani was not present at the BJP-NCP meeting in New Delhi in Nov 2019 but Sharad Pawar was and had betrayed them.

NCP chief Ajit Pawar had claimed that Adani had been present at the meeting on forming govt in Maharashtra. Fadnavis said, “The meeting did take place, but it was not at the residence of Adani, nor he was present. Besides me, the meeting was attended by home minister Amit Shah, Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel and Ajit Pawar.”“There was a marathon discussion on formation of govt, allocation of portfolios and appointment of guardian ministers. The responsibility to execute the plan was entrusted to me and Ajit Pawar. When the plan was in the process of implementation, Sharad Pawar quietly withdrew from the scene... We never expected Pawar would backtrack in such a manner. The action plan to take NCP with us was drafted to ensure a stable govt,” Fadnavis said.

Asked whether there had been a proposal to recommend President’s Rule due to the delay in govt formation, Fadnavis replied: “It was decided Sharad Pawar will write a letter to the governor on imposition of President’s Rule. The letter was drafted and sent for approval to Sharad Pawar. Pawar did make a few corrections and then the letter was sent.” On whether there was any possibility of a patch-up with Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis said, “It appears to be impossible.”

Fadnavis felt the people of Maharashtra would give the Mahayuti a decisive mandate in the assembly election but that he was not in the race for CM. The decision on the new CM would be taken by BJP ’s central parliamentary board in consultation with Sena’s Eknath Shinde and NCP’s Ajit Pawar, he said.