Bhujbal expressed hope that the portfolio would be returned before the winter session: Reports
MUMBAI: Nine months after the death of Ajit Pawar, the NCP has sought the Finance portfolio, which was held by the party under the power-sharing formula when the BJP-led Mahayuti government was formed. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured the party that the department would be returned to NCP president Sunetra Pawar after arrangements are made for drought-relief funding, senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal said on Sunday.
A delegation led by Sunetra Pawar met Fadnavis after a meeting of the party’s core committee at her bungalow, Devgiri. The delegation, comprising senior leaders and cabinet ministers, including Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde and Jay Pawar, met the Chief Minister at his official residence, Varsha.
Bhujbal expressed hope that the portfolio would be returned before the winter session. He also dismissed speculation about a merger of the two NCP factions and a ministerial reshuffle.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bhujbal, who is also the Food and Civil Supplies Minister in the Mahayuti government, made it clear that there would be no cabinet reshuffle. He said reports about the replacement of four to five ministers were unfounded.
“We have sought the Finance portfolio from the Chief Minister as there is a lot of discussion among our party leaders and legislators about the department. We should get the Finance portfolio as soon as possible,” he said.
The senior NCP leader said the Chief Minister was positive about allocating the Finance portfolio to the NCP.
“The Chief Minister has informed the delegation that he will give it to the NCP, but the state is currently facing drought, and we will have to make arrangements for the funds,” he said.
Asked whether the Finance portfolio would be given to the NCP before the winter session of the state legislature, Bhujbal said the party expected to get it before the session.
When asked whether the Chief Minister had given any assurance or set a deadline, the senior NCP leader said no specific date could be given but maintained that Fadnavis was positive about the party’s demand.
Asked whether the NCP would consider any alternative arrangement in place of the Finance portfolio, Bhujbal reiterated, “No, we want only the Finance portfolio.”
He also made it clear that the issue of rapprochement between the two NCP factions was not on the agenda of the meeting.
