Mumbai: While RPI leader Ramdas Athawale, whose party does not have a single Lok Sabha MP, will continue to be part of the Narendra Modi cabinet, Ajit Pawar-led NCP will not have any representation. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday informed that the NCP was offered minister of state (MOS) with independent charge, but NCP refused to accept stating Praful Patel has been union cabinet minister in the past so they cannot demote him.
Among those who have been inducted as ministers from BJP in Maharashtra are Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Raksha Khadse, who is the daughter-in-law of senior leader Eknath Khadse. Shiv Sena’s Prataprao Jadhav will also take oath as ministers.
Mr. Fadnavis said that the central government had offered the Ajit Pawar-led NCP one MOS with Independent Charge. But the NCP has finalised the name of Praful Patel for the ministerial berth. “The NCP said that since he (Praful Patel) had already been a union minister, he cannot be made MOS. When there is an alliance government, some criteria need to be decided because several parties are together. Due to one party, the criteria cannot be twisted. But, I am sure that in the future when there will be an expansion, NCB will be considered,” he said.
Mr. Fadnavis said that the BJP tried to accommodate the NCP but the NCP requested for a cabinet minister post stating even if it is given in the next leg of expansion.
Praful Patel also expressed his dissatisfaction with the MOS with an independent charge berth, which was offered to him by the BJP, saying that accepting this post would be a demotion for him.
Mr Patel said, “We (NCP and BJP) are working together. Yesterday night (Saturday night), we got information that our party will get a MOS with independent charge. I was earlier a cabinet minister in the Union government, I have reservation over this post as it will be a demotion for me. So we have informed the BJP leadership and they have already told us to wait for a few days. They will take remedial measures.”
The Sharad Pawar faction said that the BJP has used Ajit Pawar only to trouble the NCP founder.
Sharad Pawar’s grand nephew Rohit Pawar slammed Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar led NCP stating that both parties are just seeking the ministerial berths and stopping the ED’s action instead of demanding something for Maharashtra. “It is unfortunate that Mahayuti leaders are selfish and do not demand anything for Maharashtra. Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu have shown courage, while joining the government at the centre,”he said.
Taking a dig at Praful Patel, Sharad Pawar’s grand nephew Rohit Pawar said that the former Union minister has been a biggest beneficiary after joining hands with the BJP. “While Praful Patel has got relief from the ED, there is no relief for Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare, who are still facing the cases and under the scanner of the central agencies,” he said.
