File photo of NCP chief Sharad Pawar
The minority government headed by Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra could consider itself warned - a party which had pledged its support has indicated that's not a reliable offer.
Sharad Pawar today asked workers of his NCP to be ready for another election.
"We have to be ready to face snap polls in Maharashtra," he said addressing a two-day party meeting which began today at Alibaug in Maharashtra's Raigad district. "Having a stable government in Maharashtra isn't the NCP's responsibility," said Mr Pawar, who said that this party, "was neutral during the trust vote" which was won last week by the Chief Minister and his party, the BJP. "We did not vote for or against the government," said Mr Pawar, who was union minister in the government that was demolished by the BJP in May's national election.
In last month's election in Maharashtra, the BJP won the most seats but did not clear a majority. Within hours of the result being announced, Mr Pawar had offered unconditional support to a BJP government. But Mr Pawar has a reputation for being an unreliable partner - his announcement today will bolster that perception.
Mr Fadnavis said he's not worried. "Nobody wants mid-term polls - that won't happen. Our talks with the Shiv Sena continue," he said. For weeks, however, the BJP has failed to close a deal with the Shiv Sena, which placed second in the election. Fronted by Uddhav Thackeray, the Sena wants to join the government, but the share of ministries that it wants has been rejected by the BJP. Piqued, the Sena voted against Mr Fadnavis last week.
A 25-year partnership between the BJP and the Sena came undone before the election. After the results, the Sena's chance to maximise the potential of its runner-up status was blown by Mr Pawar's offer of support to the BJP. Suddenly, the Sena was reduced to a possible partner rather than an indispensable one.