‘Am I a Toy?’: Senior NCP Leader Questions Party Leadership Over Maharashtra Cabinet Snub

‘Am I a Toy?’: Sensing the surprise regarding the snub from the new council of ministers, senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal heaped a veiled jibe at party chief Ajit Pawar, saying that Devendra Fadnavis is very interested in inducting him into the state cabinet.

Speaking to reporters in Nashik, Bhujbal said that Pawar makes the decisions for NCP like what Fadnavis does for the BJP and Eknath Shinde for the Shiv Sena, PTI reported.

Also Read: Former Kansas City Chiefs Star Jimmy Wilkerson Dies at 43: High School Pays Tribute with Emotional Win

Claiming speculation over his "Jahan nahi chaina, wahan nahi rehna" comment a day earlier, Bhujbal mentioned Tuesday that he will speak after discussing NCP workers and the constituents from his constituency of Yeola.

Bhujbal alleged that he was not included in the cabinet because he opposed Maratha activist Manoj Jarange.

And although the NCP leader said he was not dejected with the cabinet exclusion, Bhujbal added that he felt humiliated in the treatment.

'Am I a toy?'

The leader said he was asked to contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in May, but his name was not finalised. And then just recently, weeks after winning the state assembly polls from the Yeola constituency, Bhujbal said he was offered a Rajya Sabha seat.

"I accepted the suggestion to contest Lok Sabha elections from Nashik. When I wanted to be in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, I was asked to fight the assembly elections. I was offered a Rajya Sabha seat eight days ago which I rejected," the senior NCP leader said.

"They didn't listen to me then, now they are giving it (Rajya Sabha seat). Am I a toy in your hands?" Bhujbal asked.

Asking whether it is thought that he will do whatever he is told do, Bhujbal asked, "What will the people in my constituency feel if I resign?"

"I have confirmed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis insisted on my inclusion in the state cabinet. The chief of each party in the Mahayuti alliance decides for his party. Fadnavis for BJP, Eknath Shinde for Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar for NCP," he said.

Expansion of the Maharashtra cabinet occurred on Sunday when Fadnavis inducted 39 new members into his team, of whom 19 belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party, 11 from Shiv Sena and 9 from NCP.

Also Read: Yogi Adityanath Responds to Priyanka Gandhi’s ‘Palestine’ Bag, Highlights UP’s Support for Israel

One of those included in the new cabinet but was a subject of disappointment was Bhujbal who opted to avoid the winter session of the state legislature and headed back to the Nashik constituency.

On the insistence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, Bhujbal said he was asked to contest the general elections from Nashik.

"However, at the last moment, my name was not announced, and I had to withdraw from the contest," he added.

Later on, he added a longing for a Rajya Sabha seat. Bhujbal stated that he was informed that the two people 'on' were Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra and Nitin Patel.

Bhujbal said he accepted the NCP leadership's decision even then. "After contesting and winning the state assembly elections, I am told to move to Rajya Sabha. For this, Nitin Patil will be asked to resign," he said.

NCP leader said he was denied the opportunity when he wanted and then constituency people fought hard for him in this state election. "How can I ask them to accept my resignation now?" asked Bhujbal.

However, Bhujbal has told NCP leadership that he would think about the offer from Rajya Sabha in one or two years after everything settles down in his constituency of Yeola.

Bhujbal further clarified that he had not spoken with the deputy chief minister and NCP supremo Ajit Pawar ever since his disregard for a cabinet berth.

Also Read: Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Announces Indefinite Fast Starting January 25