BJP govt's stability not NCP's responsibility: Pawar

The Fadnavis government today found itself in an unenviable situation with NCP chief Sharad Pawar, whose party had declared outside support doing a U-turn, saying the stability of the 18-day-old dispensation was not its responsibility and asking his party workers to be ready for a snap poll.
"Having a stable government in Maharashtra isn't NCP's responsibility. We have to be ready to face snap polls in Maharashtra," Pawar said addressing a two-day meeting of the party which got underway today at Alibaug in Raigad district.
"The present situation in Maharashtra is not of long term political stability. If the political instability continues, then in four to six months the state may have to face polls and that will not be good for Maharashtra," the Maratha strongman said.

After declaring unconditional outside support to the minority BJP government the day Assembly poll threw up a hung verdict, NCP has been showing signs of a rethink in the party over continuing support to the Devendra Fadnavis government.
Pawar's remarks come within a week of Fadnavis securing a controversial trust vote in the Assembly where the confidence motion was passed by a voice vote in complete chaos. NCP MLAs were reported to have remained seated quietly in their seats when the motion was put to a voice vote and declared passed.
Shiv Sena and Congress had disapproved of the procedure and petitioned the Governor to direct the government to seek a trust vote afresh.

Sharad Pawar had earlier said he doubted that the first BJP government in Maharashtra will last its full term, while his nephew and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, too, frowned upon the way the minority government had secured the trust vote.