Discontent over not being included in the Mahayuti cabinet, NCP leader and OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal returned to his constituency Yeola on Wednesday. The leader, who hit out Ajit Pawar over the snub, held a meeting with his supporters on Wednesday where he made cryptic statements about his plans.
This comes as Bhujbal began getting feelers from the Maha Vikas Aghadi camp, with both Shiv Sena and NCP expressing interest in welcoming him back. However, Bhujbal has not revealed his mind, other than to attack the NCP for denying him a cabinet berth.
On Wednesday, he met with his supporters, party office-bearers and members of Samata Parishad to decide future course of action. In the meeting, Bhujbal is said to have informed his supporters that he will continue his fight for Cabinet post.
He, however, said the fight was not for the minister post but for identity. "I have worked in many ministries. We have been working for more than 40 years. So, this is not an issue. We should work together. We will not take any decision without taking people into confidence," Bhujbal said while thanking the people for electing him for the fifth time.
Meanwhile, the NCP is on a mission to pacify the leader by offering him a Rajya Sabha post. He said there were speculations about him being offered the post of Governor and Rajya Sabha MP. "I need to clarify with my people," he said.
Bhujbal also gave the Winter Session of the Legislative Assembly a miss, stating that there was no point in attending the session as being a Mahayuti MLA.
Bhujbal said he was offered a Lok Sabha seat but his name was dropped at the last moment, stating he was needed in the state. Calling this a humiliation, Bhujbal said though the Rajya Sabha opportunity came twice, he wasn't considered both times. "Yes, they have offered me a Rajya Sabha seat, but now I don’t want to go there. When my supporters had worked hard for me in the recent election and we won it, they are asking me to resign as an MLA and become a Rajya Sabha member," he told News 18.
Meanwhile, there are speculations that both Ajit Pawar and NCP state chief Sunil Tatkare will visit Bhujbal soon. Tatkare told reporters that he is in touch with Bhujbal's son Pankaj and nephew Sameer over the issue and is hopeful of resolving it soon.
