"Will Wait Few Days, But...": Ajit Pawar Responds As NCP Gets Snubbed In NDA's Cabinet Berth

The Ajit Pawar faction of NCP, which is aligned with the Mahayuti alliance, has expressed dissatisfaction over not being allocated a Cabinet berth in the new Modi government. Instead, the NCP was offered a Minister of State (MoS) position with independent charge. Praful Patel, a senior leader of NCP, described this offer as a "demotion," indicating the party's discontent.

Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Deputy CM reacting to this, said, "NCP was offered one seat from the government - MoS Independent Charge. But from their side, Praful Patel's name was finalised and he was already a minister. Therefore, he would not be able to hold the post of MoS Independent Charge. When a government is formed with an alliance, some criteria has to be decided, because several sides are together. But because of one party, the criteria cannot be twisted".

Photo Credit: PTI Photo

Fadnavis attempted to address the concerns of Pawar's camp by assuring them that the party's interests would be considered during future Cabinet expansions, reported India Today.

Ajit Pawar himself, who will be attending Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony today, mentioned that NCP is willing to wait for a few days for a Cabinet ministry post, signaling a temporary acceptance of the current arrangement while maintaining hope for a more favorable position soon.

"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. 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." Pawar said.