In a startling revelation, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawarhas shared that he was aware that his nephew AjitPawar was in contact with Bharatiya Janata Party’s Devendra Fadnavis when negotiations between the NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress were under way to form government in Maharashtra.

He however, added that he did not expect that Ajit would turn into a rebel.

Sharad Pawar further shared that he thought that Ajit decided to rebel following a ‘heated discussion’ with Congress leaders on November 22. “Ajit was very, very unhappy at that heated conversation. The Congress was demanding extra portfolios. I walked out. Ajit also walked out and told my colleagues I don’t know how we will be able to work tomorrow. That night he had a meeting with Devendra Fadnavis,” he said.

“But he (Ajit) realised it was not the correct decision and that is why he came early morning the next day, saw me and just withdrew from all this,” Pawar said.

In an early morning development on November 23, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Maharashtra chief minister and AjitPawar as his deputy.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar said that an alliance with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra was “not difficult” when compared to a tie-up with the BJP.

In an interview to a leading magazine, Pawar also expressed dissatisfaction with the power-sharing deal, which was struck after weeks of meetings and negotiations before the Uddhav Thackeray government took the oath.

“NCP has two seats less than Shiv Sena and 10 seats more than Congress. Sena got the CM post and Congress got Speaker, what has my party got? Deputy CM has no authority,” Sharad Pawar said.

On AjitPawar’s future in the NCP, Sharad Pawar that he is a strong leader who has stood by party workers, thus, he will get an important post.