'Last 5 years taught me that ...': Devendra Fadnavis on potential alliance with Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday ruled out the possibility of joining hands with Uddhav Thackeray or Sharad Pawar but added that his experience over the last five years has taught him to "never say never".

In an interview to Moneycontrol's Managing Editor Nalin Mehta at the Global Wealth Summit in Mumbai, Fadnavis said that his relationship with opposition leaders like Uddhav and Sharad Pawar has never been bad.

"There was a time in Maharashtra politics when opposition was not being seen as political opponents but enemies. However, when I returned to head the government, I made it clear in my speech in assembly that I am here for 'Badlaav' (change) and not 'badla' (revenge). I want to engage in dialogue. My focus is on development. The relationship between us (him and opposition) is fine and we can still talk to each other on the phone," Fadnavis said.

In a subtle dig at Uddhav, Fadnavis suggested that the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader could have averted the fall out between the two parties had he picked up his phone at the right time.

"If Uddhav had answered his call at the right time, the situation today would have been different. But we now pick each other's phone calls," he said.

Fadnavis, however, brushed aside possibility of an alliance with NCP or Shiv Sena (UBT) but did not rule it out completely.

"You 'never say never' in politics. Last five years have taught me that anybody can go with anyone in politics. So I choose my words carefully. However, going by the current political scenario, we don't see any alliance with either Sharad Pawar's NCP or Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT)," he said.

Ties between Shiv Sena (undivided) and BJP were severed in 2020 when Uddhav Thackeray walked out of the NDA and joined hands with Congress and NCP amid discord over power-sharing.