Devendra Fadnavis says Ajit Pawar’s restraint appears shaken

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday took a swipe at Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for criticising the BJP during the civic poll campaign in Pune and PimpriChinchwad saying they had agreed on friendly contests despite both parties fighting separately reported news agency PTIBJP and NCP decided to fight civic elections independentlySpeaking during an interaction with actor Girija Oak Fadnavis said the BJP and the NCP had decided well in advance that they would not contest the Pune and PimpriChinchwad civic elections as allies since both were strong parties in the region reported PTIAjit Pawar forges alliance with Sharad Pawarrsquos NCP SPAjit Pawars NCP a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti has been repeatedly targeting the BJP over local governance in the runup to polls to the January 15 Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations He has forged a tieup with NCP SP led by his uncle Sharad Pawar for the two civic bodieslsquoHis restraint is somewhat shakenrsquo says FadnavisAsked about Ajit Pawars criticism of the BJP Fadnavis said Ajit dada only speaks but my work speaks We had already decided then that even if we contest against each other it would be a friendly contest and that we would refrain from criticising each other or each others parties I have followed that rule till now but his restraint is somewhat shaken reported PTIHowever Ajit Pawar wont speak after January 15 when votes will be cast said Fadnavis exuding confidence in the BJPs performanceFadnavis reacts to RajndashUddhav Thackeray allianceAsked that he was being dubbed an expert who brings estranged brothers together referring to the alliance between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena UBT head Uddhav Thackeray Fadnavis said he is thankful to Raj for giving him the credit reported PTIOn Ajit PawarndashSupriya Sule tieup Fadnavis quipsWhen asked whether he should be credited for Ajit Pawar and his cousin NCP SP leader Supriya Sule joining hands against the BJP in Pune Fadnavis quipped that he had no idea whether the brother and sister had come together or whether they would give him credit for itFadnavis mocks free Metro travel promiseTo a question about Pawars promises of free Metro and civic transport travel to people in Pune and PimpriChinchwad if their alliance comes to power Fadnavis said sarcastically that he was thinking about announcing free air travel for women in Pune What does it take to make an announcement he askedlsquoUnrealistic promises mislead votersrsquo says CMWhen one knows they are not going to get elected they release manifestos and say anything But my point is that at least we should say things that people can believe things that are actually doable said the CM reported PTIMetro fares decided by legal committee not politiciansMetro corridors not only belong to the state but also to the Centre he saidWhen fares are fixed for any Metro route a fare fixation committee is formed under the law and that committee alone has the legal authority to decide fares Even if I feel like waiving the fares tomorrow I cannot do so he saidFadnavis questions funding of free travel schemesIf one wants to give concessions and is not going to recover operational costs where the money will come from he asked That is why making promises about things that are not even in your hands is misleading said Fadnavis reported PTIlsquoPunekars want reliable services not freebiesrsquoPunekars pay their taxes on time and do not want things for free said the senior BJP leader They want reliability and dependability They want good Metro and bus services For that they are willing to pay the minimum required cost he saidThe residents of Pune are also well aware that those making such promises are not going to get elected he saidFadnavis raises concern over tickets to candidates with criminal backgroundAbout tickets to candidates with criminal background Fadnavis who is also the states home minister said he is perplexed why there was a need to favour such individuals when there are 60 lakh people in PunelsquoKoyta gangrsquo references return in ticket controversyHe said those who called for an end to koyta sicklewielding gangs menace in Pune have nominated persons with a criminal past indirectly referring to the NCP which has given tickets to criminal Bandu Andekars relatives who are in jail along with him in the murder of his grandson Ayush KomkarlsquoTheir real place is jail not civic bodiesrsquo says FadnavisEven if these criminals get elected their real place is jail not in PimpriChinchwad asserted FadnavisWith inputs from PTI