Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who has been denied a cabinet berth in the new government, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday.
“I raised some social and political issues at the meeting with the CM. We reflected on the current political atmosphere in Maharashtra,” said Bhujbal after the meeting.
“The CM acknowledged the role of OBCs in giving Mahayuti a landslide victory in the Assembly polls. He also promised to safeguard the interests of OBC communities in future,” added Bhujbal.
Late on Monday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told media persons, “Bhujbal is a senior leader who is highly respected not only by NCP, but BJP and Shiv Sena too. In the recently held Assembly polls, Bhujbal had a big role to play in Mahayuti’s success.”
Responding to a question on whether Bhujbal is planning to join BJP, Fadnavis said, “Neither Bhujbal has ever made such a proposal, nor has it come to BJP’s mind ever. The NCP is an important alliance partner of Mahayuti.”
Meanwhile, NCP leader and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar downplayed the meeting. He said, “The decision to deny Bhujbal ministerial berths was an intra-NCP issue. It would be tackled at an appropriate forum.”
Senior NCP leader Praful Patel held talks with Bhujbal. He tried to reason with him and placate his anger.
Earlier, Bhujbal went public with his disappointment over not making it to the cabinet.
“I stood for the OBCs and took activist Manoj Jarange Patil head on at a time when the agitation was at its peak. I faced flak from all quarters. There was serious threat to my life and family. Yet, I fought. It is the award that party has given me by denying cabinet post,” he sarcastically said.
Bhujbal, who skipped the Nagpur session of Assembly and returned to Nashik, pledged to continue his fight for OBC rights. Bhujbal’s meeting with Fadnavis has also made many wonder whether he is planning to switch sides from NCP to BJP.
In the past, BJP had extended him an offer to join the party.
For the past couple of days, various OBC outfits have been holding meetings with Bhujbal, who represents Yevla constituency in Nashik district.
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