Congress Leader Appeals to Discontented Chhagan Bhujbal Following Cabinet Exclusion
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Nagpur, Dec 17 (NationPress) A prominent figure in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Congress has opened a pathway for NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who is feeling disgruntled after not receiving a cabinet position in the new MahaYuti government of Maharashtra.
Veteran Congress leader Dr. Nitin Raut, who has served five terms as an MLA from the Nagpur North Assembly constituency, criticized the exclusion of Bhujbal from the cabinet as "a significant injustice to both Bhujbal and the OBC community."
"You (Bhujbal) have finally come to see the tactics that these individuals employ against the OBCs and backward classes. You need to consider who you wish to align with and how... If someone as talented as you is willing to collaborate with us, we are eager to welcome you," Raut expressed while speaking with the media.
Nevertheless, thus far, both Bhujbal and the NCP, as well as the Congress-MVA, have remained silent regarding Raut’s proposal, contributing to the ongoing political intrigue.
On Sunday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expanded his three-member cabinet by including nine MLAs from the NCP, led by Deputy CM Ajit A. Pawar, along with representatives from his own BJP and the Shiv Sena.
Surprisingly, the name of Bhujbal, aged 77, was absent from the ministerial appointments, leaving him stunned and creating ripples within OBC and political circles.
Publicly expressing his dissatisfaction over the perceived oversight, Bhujbal hinted at making a significant political move soon, stating he would devise his next steps after consulting his supporters, constituents from Yeola (Nashik), and the Akhil Bharatiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad, an OBC organization of which he is the president.
"Yes, I am upset... I may or may not secure a ministerial role, but I am far from finished," warned a serious Bhujbal, who is a seven-time MLA, a former MLC, a past Mayor of Mumbai, and a two-time Deputy CM, representing the Mali community.
Throughout his lengthy political career, starting with the original Shiv Sena, Bhujbal transitioned to the Congress, later joined the original NCP established by Sharad Pawar, and ultimately became part of the breakaway NCP led by Ajit A. Pawar in July 2023.
In response to a question, Bhujbal mentioned that the decision to include anyone in the cabinet rests with the party leadership, but he has been made aware of how senior leaders are being sidelined to make way for newer, younger members. He acknowledged that he was considered for a Rajya Sabha position but has opted not to pursue it, instead choosing to advocate for OBC rights through various avenues.
