In a revelation that has stirred the political landscape of Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis disclosed during an exclusive interview with the India Today Group that Sharad Pawar, the Chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), had proposed the imposition of President's Rule in the state in 2019. This revelation pertains to the period following the 2019 Maharashtra assembly election when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party. However, the political impasse arose as the BJP's ally, the Shiv Sena, declined to support the party in forming a government, creating uncertainty over who would assume power. Fadnavis, while speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2023, disclosed that Pawar had approached the BJP with a proposal for a coalition between his NCP and the BJP to form a government. Pawar's strategy included a brief imposition of President's Rule in the state to facilitate discussions with NCP members about aligning with the BJP. However, according to Fadnavis, Pawar later withdrew from this arrangement. Fadnavis shed light on the process, explaining that during the imposition of President's Rule, each party was given a letter inquiring about its interest in forming a government. He mentioned that he was involved in drafting the letter sent to the NCP, which Pawar subsequently reviewed and made revisions to. Only after the NCP confirmed its disinterest in forming a government did President's Rule take effect. This revelation offers insight into the complex and dynamic political maneuvers that transpired behind the scenes during the critical period of government formation in Maharashtra. It also raises questions about the relationships and alliances that ultimately shaped the state's political landscape.