The ruling coalition currently has 162 MLAs, 17 more than the required number to form government in the 288-member House. BJP and Sena together have 145 MLAs.
With the saffron party already struggling in Maharashtra in alliance with the Eknath Shinde faction, a fresh entrant could upset delicate calculations.
Fadnavis' reaction comes in the backdrop of the speculations that Ajit Pawar was being offered chief ministerial post by BJP in anticipation of the Supreme Court verdict regarding disqualification of some MLAs of the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut says if Ajit Pawar is ready to stake claim to the Maharashtra CM’s post, the party would extend its best wishes to him.