Mumbai: Kicking off the Congress campaign from Tuljapur (Tulaja Bhavani temple) former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan alleged that NCP leader Sharad Pawar was hand-in-glove with the BJP leaders. Following Chavan's resignation as the Chief Minister, the Maharashtra government collapsed and in no time, Presidential rule was imposed on the state.

Chavan targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that he has been trying to alienate the national financial capital Mumbai. It is significant to note that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) offices have recently been shifted to Gujarat. Efforts were also being made to shift the coastal academy from Mumbai to Gujarat.

Chavan also pointed out that the 25 TMC ft water from Krishna Basin could not be diverted to Marathwada. Holding the NCP leaders responsible for the rift, he accused them of having an adamant approach.

According to close Congress sources, NCP leader Sharad Pawar was the mastermind in creating the rift between Shiv Sena-BJP alliance. Incidentally, Raj Thackeray made the same allegation at a public meeting in Vidarbha region on Wednesday.

According to the Congress sources, it seems that Chavan made a hasty decision by announcing the first Congress list on September 24. This action taken by Chavan prompted Ramdas Athawale to rush to Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi. Athawale met a senior leader of Maharashtra and reportedly communicated the message Pawar.

It led to a sudden shift in the attitude of the BJP leaders after that morning as state BJP chief Devendra Phadanavis announced that he was committed to the alliance friends who remained with them in Mahayuti or mega alliance like Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A), Raju Shetti (Swabhimani Sanghatna) and Mahadeo Jankar (NSP). This was followed by an emergency core committee meeting after which the 25-years-old alliance ended.

Although, both BJP and NCP are denying the possibility of their post-poll alliance, the Congress leaders are alleging in the public meetings that Pawar has emerged as the most unreliable politician. Despite his vehement denial, the truth remains that he had his share in the recent political upheavals.

Congress leader Harshavardhan Patil attacked the NCP for taking the advantage of the situation at the last minute and putting pressures to clear their files. The Congress has been openly alleging that Pawar is making the efforts to join the BJP Government at the Centre. Sharad Pawar has a history of switching loyalties depending on the political situation.

Like the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) in which all the right and left forces came together, according to political observers, there is a possibility of Pawar following the same path this time too.

IBN