Eknath Shinde ribs Ajit Pawar: Dada experienced in both morning, evening oath

A press conference by Mahayuti leaders featured a light-hearted moment when Ajit Pawar's banter about oath-taking prompted a witty retort from Eknath Shinde.

In Short

• Eknath Shinde, Sharad Pawar exchange playful jabs at press meet
• Shinde dodges question on joining Devendra Fadnavis government
• Shinde quips about Pawar's oath-taking experience, draws laughter

Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar exchanged playful jabs during a press conference on Wednesday. Shinde, the outgoing Chief Minister of Maharashtra, was asked whether he would join the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. While Shinde remained cryptic, Ajit Pawar interjected, jokingly stating that he was going to take the oath as Deputy Chief Minister.

Shinde then humorously commented on Pawar's "experience" in oath-taking.

When asked whether he and Pawar would take their oaths as Devendra Fadnavis's deputies on December 5, Shinde avoided giving a direct answer, saying, "Wait till evening..."

Ajit Pawar added to the humour, quipping, "Sham tak unka samaj aayega (We will know about Shinde by evening). I will take it (the oath); I will not wait."

His remark elicited laughter from those present.

Responding in the same vein, Shinde said, "Dada (Ajit Pawar) has experience of taking oaths both in the morning and evening.”

The comment was an apparent reference to Pawar’s early morning oath-taking as Fadnavis’s deputy in 2019, during the brief BJP-NCP coalition that dissolved in just a few days.