Sena wanted to form govt in alliance with Cong after 2014 Maha elections: Prithviraj Chavan

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has revealed that Shiv Sena had proposed to form a coalition government with his party and NCP after 2014 assembly election to stop Bharatiya Janata Party from coming to power in state. But Congress had immediately rejected proposal n, Chavan said.

Even after assembly election in 2019, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi was t ready for a coalition with Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena but she relented after long deliberations, he told PTI in an interview.

In vember, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress formed a coalition government in Maharashtra under leadership of Thackeray.

Asked what made Congress join hands with ideologically opposite Sena, Chavan said, "A similar situation emerged in 2014 as well. n too, Shiv Sena and NCP had approached me to form a coalition government to stop BJP. I immediately rejected offer n and said winning and losing is rmal in politics. In past too, we lost elections and sat in opposition."

In 2014, BJP and Shiv Sena fought Maharashtra polls without an alliance, so did Congress and NCP. After elections, BJP ran government but later Shiv Sena also joined it.

Chavan alleged Devendra Fadnavis government tried to "kill opposition" and re was a "lot of corruption" in state.

"During this time, efforts were made to destroy democracy. Around 40 MLAs of Congress and NCP were made to switch sides, people were blackmailed and lured with offers of government positions," he claimed, adding that ar term for BJP would have "completely destroyed democracy".

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"It was under se circumstances that we decided to change our role and thought about an alternative government. After a conflict between BJP and Shiv Sena, I initiated move to form alternative government and discussions about it began," senior Congress leader said.

"Initially, party high command was t in favour of joining hands with Shiv Sena. Sonia ji and Congress leaders from Kerala did t agree. But I held discussions with all MLAs and or leaders of party. It was accepted that BJP is our number one ideological enemy and everyone agreed to form alternative government," Chavan said.

Asked wher coalition government in Maharashtra would last its full term, Chavan said, "body can give a 100-percent guarantee in case of a coalition government. However, we came toger against BJP because it tried to kill opposition and betrayed Shiv Sena."

former chief minister said re will t be a problem till coalition partners have a common understanding. He, however, accepted that re will be issues in day-to-day functioning of a government and re had been problems but BJP is trying to "highlight issues of past."

Asked to share his views on NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Chavan said Sharad Pawar made decision that his nephew be deputy chief minister. "It would t be right for me to comment on this."

On t joining state cabinet, Chavan said, "Uddhav ji is chief minister, Ajit Pawar is deputy CM and Balasaheb Thorat leader of party," and he "did t find it appropriate" to work at a lower position.

Chavan said he was offered post of assembly speaker, however, to remain active in politics, he did t agree. He said he will accept whatever responsibility is given by party leadership in future. 

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