Pune: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Sunday hinted that NCP could accommodate senior party members like Chhagan Bhujbal or Dilip Walse Patil in the central govt. Both were denied ministerial berths in the current state govt. At a public gathering in Baramati, Pawar said that some party meners have expressed anger after their names were excluded from the list that was forwarded for ministerial berths.
"Sometimes, new people should be given an opportunity, but we have also thought of giving a chance to older people at the Centre instead of the state," he said. The deputy CM said that he will not fall behind in giving due respect to those who deserve it. "However, it is not right to make wrong statements or take a different stand out of misunderstanding without any reason," he said, adding that Mahayuti will work to secure the rights of every section of society, including those from the backward community, tribal, or minorities.
Bhujbal, a prominent OBC face in Maharashtra, has openly expressed dissatisfaction at being excluded in the state's cabinet. Earlier on Sunday, while addressing another gathering in Baramati assembly constituency, Pawar said that some ministers are unhappy with the portfolios allocated to them. "There are 37 cabinet and six ministers of state in the current state govt.
Each minister of state was allocated 6 to 7 ministries. Since the number of ministers is high, CM Devendra Fadnavis had to allocate each minister a portfolio. Those who feel that they were alloca.