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NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said that he wanted a Rajya Sabha seat earlier, but was offered to contest the Assembly polls. He claimed that he was recently offered a Rajya Sabha seat.
Maharashtra: NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal (PTI File Image)
Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday launched a veiled attack on party chief Ajit Pawar over his exclusion from the new Maharashtra government and said that he felt “humiliated” by the treatment meted out to him.
He claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in favour of his inclusion into the council of ministers, and expressed disappointment over the rejection of his demand for a Rajya Sabha seat earlier this year and then the approval of the same recently.
Bhujbal noted that just as Fadnavis takes decisions for the BJP and Eknath Shinde for Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar decides for the NCP.
Bhujbal Felt ‘Humiliated’
His “Jahan nahi chaina, wahan nahi rehna” remark a day before kicked off a spate of speculations of his discontent over the denial of a ministerial berth in the new Mahayuti Cabinet. Bhujbal said that he would speak on Wednesday after holding discussions with NCP workers and people of his Yeola constituency.
Bhujbal, the prominent OBC leader, said that he was not disappointed, however, did mention that he felt humiliated by his treatment.
“The question is not of the ministerial berth but the way I was insulted. I will tell you more about it after holding discussions with my workers and people from the constituency tomorrow,” he said.
‘Am I A Toy In Your Hands’: Bhujbal Attacks Ajit Pawar
Speaking to the media in Nashik, the NCP leader claimed that he was asked to contest the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, however, his name was never cleared. After he won the Assembly Elections from Yeola, he said that he was recently 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. They didn’t listen to me then, now they are giving it (Rajya Sabha seat). Am I a toy in your hands? he asked.
“Do you think whenever you tell me I will stand up, whenever you tell me I will sit down and contest the elections? What will the people in my constituency feel if I resign?” he further asked.
He said that he has confirmed that CM Fadnavis “insisted” on his inclusion in the Cabinet. “The chief of each party in the Mahayuti alliance decides for his party,” he said.
“I was asked to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Nashik on the insistence of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. I prepared for over a month. I received support from various sections. However, at the last moment, my name was not announced, and I had to withdraw from the contest,” he said.
Sunetra Pawar Considered For Rajya Sabha Over Bhujbal
The NCP leader claimed that he had later conveyed his aspiration for a Rajya Sabha seat but was informed that Sunetra Pawar, the wife of Ajit Pawar, and Nitin Patil were under consideration for the position.
“I accepted the party’s decision even then. I had said my experience would be useful in the Rajya Sabha, but I was told I was needed in Maharashtra,” he claimed.
“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. I was denied the opportunity when I wanted it. My constituents fought hard for me in this election. How can I ask them to accept my resignation now?” he questioned.
He said that he would consider accepting the Rajya Sabha offer after one or two years of his tenure as an MLA.
(With PTI inputs)
