2014 support offer was 'ploy' to keep Sena away from BJP: Sharad Pawar

NCP president Sharad Pawar has said his offer of outside support to the BJP in 2014 to form government in Maharashtra was a "political ploy" aimed to keep the Shiv Sena away from its then ally.

Mr Pawar admitted he took steps to "widen the distance between the BJP and Shiv Sena".

The two long-term saffron allies parted ways after the state Assembly elections last year over the issue of sharing the chief ministerial post.

Mr Pawar said after the last year's Assembly polls, BJP leaders approached him to support the Devendra Fadnavis government in the state, but he told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the NCP will not go with the BJP and if possible, it will form government with the Sena or sit in the opposition.