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Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has strongly refuted media reports claiming he demanded the Chief Minister's position during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These reports also alleged Pawar proposed a 'friendly fight' on 25 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. However, Pawar categorically denied these claims, stating that the discussions with Shah focused on issues affecting farmers, particularly the cotton, soybean, and onion growers.
Pawar highlighted his appeal to Amit Shah to refrain from banning onion exports, emphasizing the importance of allowing farmers to benefit from potentially higher prices. He further stressed the need for an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural commodities, despite the Centre's recent increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP). This statement reflects the ongoing concerns of farmers regarding their economic well-being and the need for government intervention to ensure their fair income.
The article also touches upon the seat-sharing arrangements within the Mahayuti, the ruling alliance in Maharashtra. Pawar confirmed that the seat distribution formula remains unfinalized, underscoring the ongoing negotiations and potential complexities within the coalition. He further clarified that the NCP is yet to decide on its nominees for the three seats allocated to the party from the Governor's quota in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, dispelling media speculation regarding potential candidates.
The article delves into the recent meeting between Amit Shah and senior BJP leaders, where the party strategized for the upcoming elections. The BJP leaders strongly advocated for contesting at least 160 seats, asserting their ambition to be the single-largest party and claiming the Chief Minister's position. While acknowledging the BJP's ambition, some leaders also suggested allocating seats for Shiv Sena and NCP based on their respective strengths and chances of winning. This highlights the internal dynamics within the BJP and their approach to the elections.
Finally, the article sheds light on a recent Cabinet meeting where Shiv Sena ministers raised objections to the omission of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's name from the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme. This scheme, aimed at empowering girls, was attributed to Ajit Pawar by the NCP. Pawar clarified that the scheme was a collective initiative of the Mahayuti government, with each constituent party promoting it in their own way. This emphasizes the political maneuvering within the coalition and the importance of individual party messaging in the lead-up to the elections.
Source: Ajit Pawar Refutes Reports He Demanded Top Post In Meet With Amit Shah