NEW DELHI: Senior Union minister Nitin Gadkari ’s aborted bid to become the first BJP Chief Minister of Maharashtra by challenging Devendra Fadnivis, contrary to how it appeared, was not a solo dash fuelled by his individual dare and ambition alone.Gadkari had the tactical backing of NCP chief Sharad Pawar , who had declared "unconditional support" to BJP’s efforts to form the government. It is learnt within days after NCP’s October 19 declaration of "unconditional support" to BJP, many deft behind-the-scene moves took place. Around October 21, sources in Maharashtra NCP told ET, a senior emissary of Pawar called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and subtly conveyed NCP’s preference for Gadkari as CM.At that time, the Shiv Sena had not extended support to its estranged ally, BJP, which was short of majority by 23 seats. Though NCP’s backing was widely seen as its way of helping BJP foil Sena’s bargaining potential, the fact that Pawar’s emissary conveyed to Modi his preference for Gadkari as CM also shows Pawar had a ‘wish’ behind the ‘unconditional’ offer.Pawar and Gadkari are known to be good friends and the NCP leadership, sources said, felt Gadkari "had the necessary knack, flexibility and qualities required to run a government by managing the typical politics of Maharashtra."Sources said Modi only heard out Pawar’s emissary and did not reveal his mind. The very next day, Gadkari had a "show of strength" with over 40 BJP MLAs reaching his Nagpur house to urge him to become the CM. That surprised the BJP establishment and even triggered speculations that RSS may be backing him. Gadkari’s seniority and ambition to become the CM is as well-known, as his rivalry with the Nagpur-based fellow-Brahmin Fadnavis.The latter’s appointment as BJP state chief by Rajnath Singh at the behest of the then RSS points-man Suresh Soni, a Gujarati, was widely seen as the key move to reduce Gadkari’s say in Maharashtra BJP. But as Modi stood firm in his choice of Fadnavis and RSS backed the PM, the Pawar-Gadkari venture hit a trough. The Shiv Sena leadership saw an opening in Pawar-backed Gadkari faction’s resistance to Modi-backed Fadnavis and publicly declared its "support to anyone BJP choses as CM."It was quid pro quo for after NCP had undercut the Sena, vis-à-vis BJP. Soon Gadkari publicly denied bidding for the CM’s post and Pawar too deftly backed out. Since a perfect BJP-Sena powersharing will limit NCP’s utility, Pawar’s remark in an interview to ET on Monday that his party would abstain to help the BJP government win a trust vote was seen as intriguing.Some Maharashtra NCP leaders who want a ‘long-term working relationship’ with the state BJP regime are learnt to be debating why their party should abstain rather than voting for the BJP government, after NCP had declared unconditional support to it. To some it appears a typical Pawar measure, to stop BJP from letting Sena come too close to NCP’s strategic comfort on the powertable.