Chhagan Bhujbal Expresses Frustration Over Exclusion from Maharashtra Cabinet

Mumbai, 17th December 2024: Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, dissatisfied after being denied a ministerial position, expressed frustration on Tuesday, accusing party chief Ajit Pawar of sidelining him despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s support for his inclusion in the Cabinet.

On Monday, Bhujbal, upset over not being inducted, left Nagpur for his hometown Nasik on the first day of the Maharashtra Assembly Winter Session. Speaking to reporters, he said he was overlooked due to his stand against Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil and his advocacy for the OBC community. When asked about his next steps, Bhujbal quoted a Kishore Kumar song, “Let’s see. Jahan Nahin Chaina, Waha Nahin Rehna.”

On Tuesday, Bhujbal declared, “I am not a puppet who will follow blindly. Chhagan Bhujbal is not that kind of person.” He mentioned that CM Fadnavis had wanted him in the Cabinet, and upon verification, he learned that Fadnavis had insisted on his inclusion. However, Bhujbal was not appointed, prompting him to seek answers about the rejection.

Bhujbal added, “In every party, the leader makes the decisions. Just as Fadnavis decides for BJP and Eknath Shinde for Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar takes the call for our group,” suggesting that Pawar was responsible for his exclusion.

Bhujbal, who won the Yeola seat in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, revealed that his supporters from across the state will gather in Nashik on Wednesday. After consulting them, he will decide on his future actions.

He clarified that his concern was not about the ministerial post, but about how he had been disregarded by the party. “Ajit Pawar asked me to contest in the Lok Sabha, and Union Minister Amit Shah also supported it. I prepared for it, but they delayed my name for over a month, so I opted out. Later, when I wanted to go to the Rajya Sabha, I was told to contest the Assembly elections. Eight days ago, I was offered a Rajya Sabha seat, which I rejected. How can I accept it after being elected as an MLA? Resigning now would betray my voters. I’d consider the Rajya Sabha offer in a year or two, not now,” Bhujbal said in a meeting with his supporters in Nashik.

He also mentioned that he hasn’t spoken to Ajit Pawar since the Maharashtra Cabinet formation, reiterating that his exclusion was linked to his opposition to Jarange-Patil.

In response to Bhujbal’s discontent, NCP leader Praful Patel suggested that they had shown a willingness to send Bhujbal to the Rajya Sabha. Bhujbal, however, rejected this, saying, “Am I just a tool in your hands? You ask me to go to the Rajya Sabha or sit, stand, or contest elections at your will.”

Bhujbal further clarified that he had expressed his interest in a Rajya Sabha seat six months ago, but his name was rejected in favour of Sunetra Pawar. Despite this, he remained supportive. However, when the decision was made to send Makarand Patil’s brother to the Rajya Sabha, Bhujbal raised concerns, but his requests were once again denied. He was then asked to contest the Assembly elections, a suggestion he accepted, leading to his victory. Now, he is being told to resign from the Assembly for a Rajya Sabha seat, a decision he views as a betrayal to his voters.