‘I blame Cong, MVA for playing politics’

Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has denied accusations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to topple Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas

Aghadi government. In a telephone interview with Smriti Kak Ramachandran, Fadnavis spoke about the issue. Edited excerpts:

How would you react to a perception that the BJP is indulging in politics in the middle of a pandemic?

The BJP is not playing politics. [Congress leader] Rahul Gandhi gives statements everyday blaming the Centre to hide the failures of his own government [in Maharashtra]... this is called politics.

We are trying to help the government. The central government is also trying to help. It has given them ₹28,000 crore...

I blame the Congress and MVA government for playing politics because they have no control over the spread of the coronavirus and therefore, they want to set different narratives.

Does the BJP want the President’s rule?

...we have not demanded the President’s rule. The BJP does not want to form the government; this is not the right time. It is more important to fight the pandemic...

Could you elaborate on your statement that the government will fall because of its internal contradictions?

...three parties coming together is in itself a contradiction. The ideological view of the Shiv Sena has been diametrically opposite to that of Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party. Sharad Pawar [NCP chief] had many times manufactured factions in the Sena. Just for the sake of forming a government, they came together...the ideological differences won’t allow them to cope with each other.