Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said that he had been invited to the swearing-in of the new BJP-led government in Maharashtra, but could not attend the ceremony as the Parliament session is underway, reported the PTI.

"I received a call from the chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis). He himself called, but as the Parliament session is underway, I told him it was not possible for me to leave the session. But I extended my best wishes to the government," said the veteran leader, a four-time CM himself.