Mumbai: After being denied a cabinet berth in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, disgruntled senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday lashed out at senior party leader Praful Patel and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, questioning whether he was their puppet. Mr. Bhujbal also claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wanted to make him a member of the Council of Ministers. He said that he was saddened by the manner in which he was humiliated instead of being a minister.
Mr. Bhujbal is discussing his next move with his followers and supporters in Nashik. Senior NCP leaders will continue discussions with supporters across the state on Wednesday.
Two days after the expansion of the Maharashtra Cabinet, there is dissatisfaction in all the three parties. The NCP and Shiv Sena leaders, who could not secure a place in the cabinet, are openly expressing their displeasure.
Mr. Bhujbal, one of Maharashtra’s leading OBC leaders, has left the ongoing winter session of the Legislative Assembly and reached Nashik. The OBC leader met his supporters and announced that he would find out who denied him the ministerial post even though the CM was in favor of his appointment.
The senior leader of the CPN told his supporters that he would soon take a decision on the future course of action.
In Nashik, he told reporters that the party had asked him to resign and go to the Rajya Sabha. “I have rejected this proposal after the elections were over. I asked for one year to two years. They (party leadership) have asked me to discuss this. But they never had a meeting on this matter. I am not a toy in your hands to be played according to your will. I am not the kind of person who can bend to your instructions.” Bhujbal said.
Talking to reporters, Bhujbal said, “What happened (with me) in the last six to eight months, I am informing my supporters. They have assured me that they will stand behind me in whatever decision I take.”
Mr. Bhujbal added that Fadnavis wants himself to be part of the government. “BJP state president Chandrasekhar Bawankule told me that Fadnavis was insisting on your name till the last moment,” he claimed.