NCP decides not to join Modi cabinet and was offered independent rank in MoS, not Cabinet: Ajit Pawar

BOMBAI: Nationalist Congress Party president and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday clarified that his party had not joined the Union ministry led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the BJP had offered to his party a place of Minister of State (independent office) although he did so. requested a ministerial position.

The party decided not to settle for the post of MoS (Independent Charge) as it had unanimously recommended the name of its working president Praful Patel as a minister and he had been a minister in the past.

Pawar, however, made it clear that the NCP would continue to be part of the NDA and its support would continue in the future as well.

“The party had taken the decision that working president Praful Patel would represent it in the Union Cabinet. However, during the discussions, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and JP Nadda communicated that allies of the NDA had been offered the MoS (Independent Charge). Praful Patel had worked as a Cabinet Minister earlier and this would have been his demotion The BJP leaders indicated that it would not be possible to accommodate Patel in the fold. of the Cabinet, as other allies were offered MoS (Independent). The BJP leaders, however, said that our request would be considered during enlargement. Therefore, it was decided that the NCP would not join the cabinet but would continue to support the NDA,” he said.

Patel also echoed Pawar, saying, “There is a little misunderstanding created because last night we received information that the NCP will get MoS (Independent Charge), which Maharashtra Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis also got clarified. This is in line with what was proposed to the other alliance partners The only difference is that, having been a minister in the Union government in the past, I had a reservation about it. acceptance of MoS (Independent Charge) as it would be a demotion for me personally we have informed the BJP leaders about it and they have already told us to wait for a few days and they will take corrective action If this is the line taken by. the BJP, that doesn’t mean we should immediately say there’s a problem.'”

Patel, who was accompanied by BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, emphasized that “we are both working hand in hand as we are here.”

Earlier, Fadnavis had confirmed that the NCP had been offered a seat – from MoS (Independent Charge).

“But they had said that they had finalized the name of Praful Patel, who 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, certain criteria must be fulfilled. to be decided, because several camps are together… Because of one party, the criteria cannot be distorted. There will be an expansion… at that time, the NCP will be remembered. “, did he declare.

Even though Pawar and Patel have made the party’s position clear, cadres feel that this was done intentionally, especially in the backdrop of the NCP’s dismal performance in the just-concluded general elections. Patel’s induction would have given a signal to critics, especially the PCN-SP who ridiculed the PCN for not being in the Cabinet. Besides, a ministerial berth to Patel would also have given a partial boost to the NCP to step up its consolidation efforts, especially in the run-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for September-October this year.