Introspect, Maha CM tells Sharad Pawar after poaching jibe

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday hit back at Sharad Pawar, who claimed that BJP leaders were poaching members of other parties, saying the NCP chief should introspect why people were leaving the party.

Earlier in the day, Pawar had said in Pune that Fadnavis and his ministers were working towards poaching leaders from the opposition ranks by misusing probe agencies and state-run financial bodies ahead of assembly polls.

Fadnavis claimed the BJP was "beyond running behind anyone" as the people of India were with the party and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Replying to a query on Pawar's statement, he said, "Sharad Pawar should introspect on why his people are not ready to stay with the NCP."
Citing an example of the alleged misuse of financial bodies, he had said, "The sugar mill of (former MLA) Kalyan Kale in Pandharpur was in a difficult situation. The state government, by flouting norms, gave Rs 30-35 crore to it and asked him to join the BJP. Since he wanted to save his factory, he switched over."