BJP's bonhomie with NCP blooms amidst Sena snub

Mumbai: The increasing bonhomie between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the state has triggered discussions of a possible political realignment in state. In less than a month, for the third time, BJP and NCP leaders shared the dais for a non-political function on Friday. Though chief minister Devendra Fadnavis skipped the event organised by NCP state chief Sunil Tatkare in Mumbai a fortnight ago, he had sent revenue minister Chandrakant Patil to be there.

The CM felicitated NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Amravati in this week. On Friday, the CM felicitated another NCP leader Dilip Walse-Patil on his 61st birthday along with Mr Pawar and others in Mumbai.

“It is unlikely that the BJP and NCP will join the hands officially. Leadership of both parties are aware about their vote banks. But to keep the Sena in control, the BJP needs to play this game with the NCP. Simultaneously, the NCP too needs to play this to keep its bargaining power for alliance with the Congress intact,” said senior journalist Anant Dikshit.

The CM showered praises on Mr Walse Patil calling him a ‘studious leader who deserves much more”. BJP leader and union minister Nitin Gadkari, who was also present at the function spoke highly of Mr Pawar and Mr Patil.

Recently, Mr Fadnavis while speaking at a programme in Amravati said that Mr Pawar is a leader who guides and helps without thinking about political benefits.

The BJP-NCP closeness comes at a time when the BJP’s alliance partner Shiva Sena has been cornering the CM over the functioning of the state.