Mumbai: In a surprise move, NCP chief Ajit Pawar dropped veteran leader Chhagan Bhujbal, a prominent OBC face in the previous govt, from the cabinet. “I have no comments to offer. It is the NCP president’s prerogative; I will abide by it,” Bhujbal told TOI.
The cabinet expansion took place soon after Ajit Pawar hinted at introducing a two-and-a-half-year term for certain portfolios. The strategy, aimed at ensuring broader representation of leaders from various districts and regions, was formulated with the approval of CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde, he said.
Along with Bhujbal, Ajit Pawar dropped senior NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil, Dharamrao Baba Atram, Anil Patil and Sanjay Bansode. Walse Patil had handled cooperation portfolio, Patil relief and rehabilitation, Atram food and drug administration, and Bansode sports in the Shinde-led govt.
Senior NCP leaders expressed surprise over the removal of Bhujbal, who had taken up the cause of OBCs during the storm caused by the Maratha quota agitation. “It was wrong to drop Bhujbal from the cabinet when he had stood up against Maratha leader Manoj Jarange,” said a senior NCP leader. Apparently, Ajit Pawar felt it was high time that senior NCP leaders, particularly those aged above 70, were retired and replaced by new faces. “We agree with Ajit Pawar, but this was not the proper time for it. He should have waited, at least till Jarange’s importance fades,” said the senior leader. As per reports, there was strong opposition to Bhujbal’s induction from MLAs, including all from Nashik district, led by Manikrao Kokate from Sinnar.
Another senior NCP leader said Walse Patil had told Ajit Pawar that he was not keen on joining the cabinet owing to health concerns. Walse Patil, who attended the swearing-in ceremony, may take up a gubernatorial assignment at a later stage, as per an understanding between NCP and BJP.
The NCP leader expressed shock over party functionary Dhananjay Munde’s induction since his name wasn’t on the probables’ list till the last minute. Munde was included after mounting pressure from BJP brass, owing to which Patil, “a good cabinet member”, was dropped, he said.
The NCP leader said Bansode was dropped owing to poor performance. He was among the rebels who revolted against Sharad Pawar and joined Ajit Pawar’s camp at the last moment.
Earlier in the day, Ajit Pawar credited women for Mahayuti’s win in the state polls. He said the LS polls, which gave a big majority to MVA, had left him worried but he was saved in the assembly election by women who enrolled for the Ladki Bahin scheme. (With inputs from Sumukh Kulkarni in Nagpur & Alim Shaikh in Pune)
