Ajit Pawar-led NCP declines MoS berth, requests BJP for Cabinet minister post

NCP leader Praful Patel

In a recent development ahead of the government's cabinet expansion, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel expressed discontent over the proposed allocation of a Minister of State with Independent Charge portfolio for the party.

Praful Patel disclosed that their party had been informed of a MoS  Independent Charge position allocation, which he perceived as a demotion given his previous role as a Cabinet Minister in the earlier UPA Government.

"Last night we were informed that our party will get a Minister of State with independent charge. I was earlier a Cabinet Minister in the Union Government, so this will be a demotion for me," said Parful Patel.

However, reassurance from the BJP leadership suggested potential remedial actions in the near future. "We have informed the BJP leadership and they have already told us to just wait for a few days, they will take remedial measures," the NCP leader added.

Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, emphasized the party's stance on the matter, highlighting concerns over the allocation of a Minister of State position with independent charge.

"Praful Patel has served as a cabinet minister in the central government and we did not feel right in taking Minister of State with independent charge," stated Ajit Pawar, elucidating the party's reservations regarding the proposed allocation.

Accordingly, he said the NCP leadership communicated their objections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressing a preference for a cabinet ministry instead.

"So we told them (BJP) that we are ready to wait for a few days, but we want a cabinet ministry. We are going to attend the swearing-in ceremony today," Ajit Pawar added, further saying, "We have one Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha MP today, but in the next 2-3 months we will have a total of 3 members in the Rajya Sabha and our number of MPs in Parliament will be 4. So we said we should be given one (cabinet ministry) seat."