MUMBAI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday asserted that there was no differences within the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and defended the work of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Pawar met Uddhav at the residence of the Thackeray family on Monday evening and discussed better co-ordination on critical issues, amid reports of unease in the alliance over allies not being on consulted on decisions such as transfers of police officers.  

In Pune, the NCP boss gave his approval to Uddhav, saying that the CM is doing good work pandemic.

“I met Uddhav Thackeray and discussed many things. I don’t feel humiliated going to Matoshree. I gave interview to Saamana. It was close to that place, therefore I went there rather than calling a chief minister to another place,” Pawar said.  

Commenting on the Shiv Sena’s five corporators joining the NCP, he said this was a “local issue” that would not pose any trouble to the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Incidentally,  poaching of each other members also figured in the talks between Uddhav and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Tuesday. 

Sources said it was decided that Uddhav will convene regular meetings with his Cabinet colleagues.

“Besides the coordination committee comprised of senior leaders of all three alliance partners will be also called to have better coordination and there is no communication gap among leaders of three parties. For any big decision, all three allies will be consulted,” said a NCP leader.  

Another NCP leader said local issues should not be blown out of proportion by the Sena.

“If the Shiv Sena wants back their five corporators from Ahmednagar, then it should also return our local body members. With the help of these members, the Sena came in power in the local body. These are very local issues that should not affect the incumbent government,” said Pramod Hindurao, NCP state unit vice-president.

Later, Sena leader Sanjay Raut also claimed that there was no bickering between the MVA coalition partners in Maharashtra.

“There are no internal differences as the Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis is saying,” he added.