Chhagan Questions Ajit: Am I Just a Plaything After Cabinet Exclusion?

Nashik, Dec 17 (NationPress) Feeling disheartened due to his exclusion from the recent Cabinet expansion, veteran NCP legislator and Samata Parishad founder, Chhagan Bhujbal openly criticized the party leadership, specifically targeting Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, and Praful Patel, the Working President. He pondered if he was nothing more than a toy in their grasp.

Bhujbal, who is dissatisfied with not being offered a ministerial position, opted to forgo the ongoing Winter Session of the House and returned to Nashik on Tuesday.

During his visit, he engaged with a significant number of supporters and vowed to uncover who was responsible for denying him a ministerial berth, despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis supporting his inclusion in the Cabinet.

While addressing his supporters in Nashik, Bhujbal indicated that he would soon reach a decision regarding his future actions.

“Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel had assured me they would discuss a ministerial post with me. However, they never followed through. No one from Ajit Pawar or Praful Patel’s office reached out to me. I am not a toy they can manipulate. If I resign, what will my constituents think if I consider their proposal to join the Rajya Sabha?” he remarked.

Criticizing Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel further, Bhujbal asserted, “I am not someone who will merely follow orders without question.”

“I plan to confer with all party workers statewide and contemplate the next steps. In a democracy, everyone is entitled to express their opinions. I am trying to identify who denied me the ministerial position.

“Decisions in every party are made by the party leader. Just as Devendra Fadnavis decides for BJP and Eknath Shinde for Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar decides for our faction,” explained Bhujbal.

“Chief Minister Fadnavis has emphasized that I should be part of the Cabinet. I have confirmed this myself. I did not declare my name for the Lok Sabha election.

“When the Rajya Sabha seat opportunity arose, I expressed my willingness, but I was not awarded a ticket. Instead, the party legislator Makrand Patil's brother, Nitin Patil, received the nomination.

“I have dedicated 40 years to this party. At that time, the party indicated I was needed at the state level and encouraged me to run in the Assembly election. I contested and won.

“Now, the party is offering me a Rajya Sabha seat, stating that as Makrand Patil has been appointed to the Cabinet, his brother Nitin Patil will be asked to resign from the Rajya Sabha,” Bhujbal stated.

He added that he has declined the party's offer, viewing it as a betrayal to the voters of the Yevala constituency who overwhelmingly supported him.

“I campaigned and triumphed. My supporters risked everything for my success. What would I tell them? Therefore, I cannot resign from the Legislative Assembly. If I aim for the Rajya Sabha, I must resign from the Assembly. I informed them I would leave after two years. Until then, I will address the issues within my constituency.

“After that, they indicated we would discuss matters. However, no discussions ever took place,” expressed Chhagan Bhujbal.

“Everyone aspires for a ministerial position. The real issue lies not in the position itself, but in how I was overlooked.

“Union Minister Amit Shah had personally recommended that Chhagan Bhujbal run for the General Elections from the Nashik seat. All necessary preparations were made, and numerous supporters approached me. If they intended for me to contest, they should have announced my candidacy. They took a month to do so, and subsequently, I announced my decision to withdraw from the General Election for Nashik,” he concluded.