NEW DELHI: Ajit faction NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday took a veiled attack on the party president over his exclusion from the new council of ministers and said that after rejecting his demand for a Lok Sabha seat, the party offered Rajya Sabha seat “Am I a toy?”
Amid speculation over his “Jahan nahi chaina, wahan nahi rehna” remark a day before, Bhujpal claimed that newly elected Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was in favour of his induction in the cabinet.
He said he wasn’t disappointed about not being made a minister but felt humiliated by his treatment.
Speaking to reporters in Nashik,During his Nashik press conference, Bhujbal revealed that whilst he was initially asked to contest the Lok Sabha elections in May, his candidature was never confirmed. Shortly after winning the Yeola assembly seat, he received an offer for a Rajya Sabha position.
“I accepted the suggestion to contest Lok Sabha elections from Nashik. When I wanted to be in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, I was asked to fight the assembly elections. I was offered a Rajya Sabha seat eight days ago which I rejected.
“They didn’t listen to me then, now they are giving it (Rajya Sabha seat). Am I a toy in your hands? he asked.
“Do you think whenever you tell me I will stand up, whenever you tell me I will sit down and contest the elections? What will the people in my constituency feel if I resign?” he questioned.
On Sunday in Nagpur, Fadnavis expanded his cabinet, incorporating 39 new members – 19 from BJP, 11 from Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and 9 from Ajit Pawar‘s NCP.
Bhujbal was amongst 10 ministers removed from the new council of ministers, which included 16 new appointments.
The former food and civil supplies minister, expressing his dissatisfaction, avoided the winter session of the state legislature and returned to his Yeola constituency in Nashik district.
He disclosed that PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had requested him to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Nashik. Despite month-long preparations and widespread support, his candidature was withdrawn at the final moment.