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NCP’s Chhagan Bhujbal: “I have come to Nashik to meet my supporters and people from the constituency. They are angry over the decision to deny me a cabinet berth…Yes, they have offered me a Rajya Sabha seat.”
Upset with Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal (left) is in Nashik. (PTI File)
Sulking Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal, in an exclusive telephonic interview with News18, said denial of a cabinet berth showed how he was being “sidelined and humiliated” in the party.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s first cabinet expansion was carried out on Sunday. While Bhujbal was not made a minister, attempts are being made to pacify the OBC face of the NCP.
“I have come to Nashik to meet my supporters and people from the constituency. They are angry over the decision to deny me a cabinet berth. A few speculations are being talked about – I am being offered the post of Governor, etc. – which I need to clarify with my people. Also, there is no point in attending the session as being a Mahayuti MLA, I won’t be able to say or criticise my own government,” said Bhujbal, who will participate in a rally.
THE HUMILIATION
Bhujbal said he was continuously humiliated in the party by being denied what he deserved.
“Before the Lok Sabha elections, I was told to start preparations to contest from Nashik. My party workers and I did all the preparation, but at the last moment, my name wasn’t declared, which was nothing but humiliation for me. Later, the Rajya Sabha opportunity came twice. Again, they denied it to me.”
THE RAJYA SABHA OFFER & BHUJBAL’s COUNTER
When asked if he was offered a Rajya Sabha seat now, Bhujbal said, “Yes, they have offered me a Rajya Sabha seat, but now I don’t want to go there. Four or five months ago, when there were two vacant Rajya Sabha seats for my party, and I had expressed my desire to contest for it, I was denied a ticket saying I am required in the state. Now, when my supporters had worked hard for me in the recent election and we won it, they are asking me to resign as an MLA and become a Rajya Sabha member.”
Bhujbal also had a counter offer for Ajit Pawar: “I told the party leadership to let me work as a minister for a few years. Meanwhile, I will convince my supporters, and once they agree, I can move to the Rajya Sabha. But Ajit Pawar didn’t agree to this proposal, which is the main problem.”
BHUJBAL VS JARANGE
Bhujbal said the Mahayuti took advantage of his battle against Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil, but later sidelined him.
येवला संपर्क कार्यालयात पदाधिकारी व कार्यकर्त्यांची बैठक घेऊन संवाद साधला. यावेळी बोलताना आपण शून्यातून लढा देऊन निर्माण करणारे लोक आहोत. त्यामुळे आपण पुन्हा लढू, हा लढा हा मंत्रीपदाचा नाही तर अस्मितेचा आहे, अशा भावना व्यक्त केल्या.आपण अनेक मंत्रीपदावर काम केलं आहे. गेल्या ४०… pic.twitter.com/KzcKpEt1xM
— Chhagan Bhujbal (@ChhaganCBhujbal) December 18, 2024
Bhujbal had objected to Patil’s demand for reservation under the OBC quota in the state and held several rallies on the issue to consolidate the OBCs. This is said to have gone against the Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha elections. The state assembly election analysis also shows that ‘Ladki Bahin’ and OBCs were the two factors behind the landslide victory.
WHAT NEXT?
A few days ago, while leaving Nagpur, Bhujbal had said, “Jahan nahi chaina, waha nahi rehna.”
On being asked whether he will stay with the party or leave, Bhujbal replied, “I will take a decision after speaking with my supporters and people from the community.”
