In a signed article in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' yesterday, Sanjay Raut, who edits the newspaper, claimed that Pawar once told him that his daughter was offered a Cabinet berth by Modi while trashing media speculations at the time that he himeself might join the NDA Government.
"Pawar told me there is no truth in media reports (that he would join the Modi cabinet). He described such reports as the height of stupidity," Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, wrote.
The Sena MP also said that Pawar told him that the NCP's stand is very clear on not joining the Modi government, yet rumours are being spread to create confusion.
"Sharad Pawar says this. But, there are senior NCP leaders who are in touch with CM Devendra Fadnavis. The Shiv Sena has no reason to be worried even if the NCP seeks inclusion in the Fadnavis cabinet. The chief minister is holding secret meetings with NCP leaders," Raut said.
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In a sharp retort to the Sena leader's claims, a BJP spokesperson said Pawar and Raut have no political credibility left.
The NCP said the party would never join the BJP, considering the ideological differences between them.
"Do Sanjay Raut and Sharad Pawar have any political credibility? One should keep in mind they have no credibility before believing such reports," BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari told PTI.
When PTI tried to contact Pawar for his reaction, a close aide of the NCP chief said he was in his home town Baramati and would respond to the Saamana article at an "appropriate" time.
However, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said there is no question of his party joining the BJP in future as well, considering the ideological differences between the two parties.
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