Sharad Pawar praised RSS for dismantling opposition narratives, says Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that Nationalist Congress Party Sharad Pawar faction chief Sharad Pawar praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS after observing how the organisation successfully countered the oppositionrsquos fake narrative during the 2024 Lok Sabha electionsThe opposition had earlier alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP aimed to secure 400 seats to amend the Constitution and eliminate reservations a claim that saffron party leaders acknowledged had negatively impacted their campaignCommenting on Pawarrsquos recent remarks appreciating the RSS Fadnavis said on Friday that the Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA alliance managed to construct a misleading narrative during the general elections However he credited the RSS for its role in exposing the truthldquoWhen the Assembly elections drew closer individuals from various walks of life inspired by the RSS played a critical role in dismantling this fake narrative Sharad Pawar Saheb is an astute leader he must have studied the RSSrsquos efforts and realised that it is not merely a political entity but a nationalist force In any competition it is wise to recognise othersrsquo strengthsrdquo Fadnavis remarked during an interaction with senior editor Vivek Ghalsasi at the Late Vilasji Fadnis Jivhala programme in NagpurThe Chief Minister further revealed that when Eknath Shinde was appointed Chief Minister in June 2022 he had requested to be assigned organisational work However senior party leaders insisted that he join the governmentFadnavis also disclosed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had advised him against operating as an ldquoextraconstitutional authorityrdquo in the governmentResponding to a query on who between Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is stricter Fadnavis explained ldquoModi ji is extremely disciplined and unwavering in his principles while Shah can occasionally be persuaded to make a political decision for convenience However Modi ji would never compromise for conveniencerdquoReflecting on his decision to serve as Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis said it garnered significant praise from party workers and demonstrated his commitment to the BJPrsquos leadershipDiscussing the 2024 Assembly elections Fadnavis noted that the BJPrsquos victory with 132 seats ndash close to a majority in the 288member House ndash was a decisive mandate According to him even Shinde readily agreed that the Chief Ministerrsquos post should go to the BJP ensuring alignment with the public sentimentTouching upon Uddhav Thackerayrsquos meeting with him during the legislaturersquos winter session in Nagpur Fadnavis emphasised his commitment to nonretaliatory politics He revealed that he had announced he would not engage in ldquopolitics of revengerdquo upon assuming office as Chief Minister a gesture that was wellreceived by leaders across partiesCommenting on the possibility of the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP reconciling with the main party Fadnavis said ldquoIf you analyse the events from 2019 to 2024 you learn never to say never in politics Anything is possible ndash Uddhav Thackeray could align with another party and Ajit Pawar could join us I am not suggesting this should happen but it is a possibilityrdquoFadnavis described Uddhav Thackeray as a former ally and Raj Thackeray as a current friend while clarifying that he does not view the Shiv Sena UBT leader as an enemyWhen asked if he preferred serving as Chief Minister or BJP national president Fadnavis said he would willingly accept any role the party assigns him ldquoMy identity is because of the BJP If the party asks me to stay at home I will do so without hesitationrdquo he assertedThe Chief Minister also praised BJP leader Arun Gujarati for teaching him the importance of patience which he described as an essential quality in politics alongside the ability to accept criticismIn a lighter vein Fadnavis quipped ldquoI only get angry when I am hungry If you see me angry give me something to eat and my anger will disappearrdquoWith inputs from PTI