NEW DELHI: The day Arvind Kejriwal took oath (February 14) as chief minister of Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Baramati, the bastion of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar, president of NCP (Nationalist Congress Party). Modi had described NCP as a 'naturally corrupt party' during the 2014 election campaign.

Pawar's daughter and Lok Sabha member from Baramati Supriya Sule described Modi's visit as 'development oriented.' Modi visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and laid the foundation stone for the Centre for Excellence for Vegetable Production and addressed a farmer's rally. Both Pawar and Modi lauded each other. What surprised political circles was Modi's open admission that he was in touch with Pawar regularly. Scarcely a month passed when Pawar and he did not discuss issues of national importance on the phone, Modi said. He added that debate and dissent were essential for progress. Echoing his tune, Pawar added, '' political play can be there for two- three days, but we should play politics of development for the rest of the year.''

That both of them shared the dais in Baramati, is a clear hint to the coalition partner Shiv Sena, that if its chief Uddhav Thackeray decides to part ways with the BJP, there will be no danger to the stability of its government headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. In that eventuality, BJP could depend once more on the 'reliable' NCP for 'unconditional support.' It is with this 'unconditional support' that the Fadnavis government had won the controversial vote of confidence on the floor of assembly. Shiv Sena then had not joined the government and felt insulted as it was left in the cold.

With the unprecedented victory of AAP in Delhi and consequential decimation of both BJP and Congress, Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray lost no time in taking pot shots at the leadership of Modi. In an edit, the Sena mouthpiece Saamna blamed Modi and Shah for BJP's poll debacle. Without mincing words, the edit said, '' Delhi voters wielded AAP's broom and reduced BJP to a trash.'' It said that both Modi and Shah were ineffective and their magic did not work. The editorial also blamed BJP for negative campaigning and blamed the Central government for not fulfilling the promises by pointing out, '' unemployment has not gone down, inflation is persistent and the homeless have not got homes.'' This has certainly irked the BJP leadership. Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar retaliated and dared Shiv Sena to quit government before targeting PM Narendra Modi.

Another point of discord is the allegation by two Shiv Sena ministers Sanjay Rathod and Ravindra Waikar, that they felt neglected. Rathod attacked senior BJP leader and Maharashtra revenue minister Eknath Khadse that he had been stripped of all his quasi-judicial powers. He is minister of state for the department. Fadnavis retorted by saying that there were clear demarcations and BJP ministers were also working under Sena cabinet ministers. Shiv Sena, at present, has 10 ministers, five cabinet and five Ministers of State. The cabinet ministers hold plump portfolios of industry, transport, environment , public works and health. Apart from this, Anant Geete of the SS holds the portfolio of heavy industries at the centre.

Political observers, however, feel that ministers' grudge may prove to be 'storm in a teacup', as the SS which has tested power will not desert so soon. This assumption is based on the fact that in spite of humiliation and BJP's straight 'no' to the demand of deputy chief ministership to SS, Uddhav Thackeray did not take the risk of asking Gite to leave the central cabinet. Political observers, however, say that SS along with BJP's allies like Akali Dal may be emboldened further, if BJP were to lose in not so far off Bihar polls. The AAP effect has already made disgruntled leaders within BJP to come out openly against the strategy that was pushed by Modi and Amit Shah, leading to a virtual rebellion within the rank and file of the party.

While the Congress in Maharashtra is keeping watch on the developments, it is in no position to make any decisive move. The chief minister, in the meanwhile, has taken enough hold over his cabinet and has moved to take up number of issues agitating people. While, suicides by farmers in distress from Vidarbha continue to hit headlines, Fadnavis has embarked on an ambitious plan of making 5000 villages drought free each year for the next five years, in order to achieve target of 20,000 drought free villages by the end of 2019. He made this announcement in Baramati. While bonhomie between Modi and Pawar continues to keep Shiv Sena guessing, Fadnavis remains comfortable for the time being to take forward his agenda of development. But if the noose of corruption gets too tight around NCP leaders, the question will be, how long the bonhomie will last.

(Vijay Naik is the Consulting Editor, Sakal Papers, New Delhi)

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