A day after his remarks on possibility of mid-term polls in Maharashtra caused a flutter, NCP chief Sharad Pawar today sought to downplay the matter saying he did not intend to dislodge the fledgling BJP government and his statement was blown out of proportion.
However, BJP's estranged ally Shiv Sena, at whose expense NCP had announced outside support to the government last month, hit out at the Maratha strongman, saying he "is known for playing politics of distrust" and is trying to take advantage of current political instability by indulging in posturing.
"We don't have any interest in toppling this government," Pawar said while addressing the concluding function of the two-day conclave of senior NCP leaders at Alibaug in neighbouring Raigad district today.
"I did not speak anything different than what I said earlier that we don't have any interest in pulling down the government. But if Maharashtra's interests are not being protected, any party will take a stance," he said.
However, Pawar retained the element of suspense over his stand, saying, "We can be emphatic if the state government is not taking the right decision or if a legislation is not agreeable."
Observing that NCP is not pulling down the government, Pawar said his yesterday's statement that "having a stable government in Maharashtra isn't NCP's responsibility. We have to be ready to face snap polls in Maharashtra," was blown out of proportion.
"The picture painted after my yesterday's speech is exaggerated. We have been given a mandate to sit in opposition. We are ready to take to the streets for any issue which is in the interest of people," the NCP chief said, adding "but this does not mean that we want to create instability."
However, Sena slammed Pawar's statement, saying "Sharad Pawar is taking advantage of this unstable government, but the Shiv Sena will stand firmly here. Let Pawar do whatever he wishes to. The Sena is fulfilling its role as an Opposition party honestly and with utmost sincerity.
"He has the habit of creating an air of confusion and then gaining politically from it. This is his politics of survival," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.
