Bhujbal meets Fadnavis CM hints at national stage for sulking leader

Mumbai/Pune, Dec 23 (PTI) Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who is sulking over not being included in the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis here on Monday.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Bhujbal said he had an elaborate discussion with the CM on the prevailing political and social atmosphere in the state.
In Pune, Fadnavis said there are plans to send Bhujbal to the "national stage" since Deputy CM Ajit Pawar wants the NCP to become a "national party".
The former state minister was accompanied by his nephew Sameer Bhujbal during the nearly 30-minute meeting with Fadnavis at the latter's 'Sagar' bunglow in Mumbai.
"Fadnavis told me that the Other Backward Classes have played an important role in the landslide victory of the Mahayuti in the assembly elections (held on November 20) and he will take care that the OBC community's interest is not harmed," Chhagan Bhujbal said.
He also said Fadnavis has sought some time to think over the issues pertaining to OBCs.
"He (Fadnavis) said he would arrive at some decision in 10 to 12 days," the NCP leader added.
OBC leaders are opposed to activist Manoj Jarange's demand for reservation for the Maratha community in the Other Backward Class (Kunbi) category. Bhujbal has also been vocal about his opposition to the demand.
Asked if he was planning to switch over to the BJP, Chhagan Bhujbal refused to elaborate and said he has already spoken his mind on the issue of him being ignored in the ministry expansion.
Speaking to reporters in Pune, Chief Minister Fadnavis said there are discussions underway to send Bhujbal to the national stage.
"Bhujbhal met me in Mumbai. He has already told you the reasons for which the visit was scheduled. He is our leader. Ajit Pawar cares about Bhujbhal saheb. Ajit dada wants his party to become a national party. Thus, it was discussed to send Bhujbhal saheb to the national stage," the CM said.
On Sunday, representatives of OBC organisations from different parts of Maharashtra met Bhujbal in the city.
The NCP leader, who represents Yevla constituency in Nashik district, did not attend the Winter Session of the state legislature that concluded in Nagpur on Saturday.
He left for Nashik on December 16, a day after 39 Mahayuti MLAs took oath as ministers.
The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar's NCP, won 230 of the 288 seats in the state assembly polls held last month.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)