June 9th 2024.
On Sunday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar had expressed a desire to join the Narendra Modi government at the center. However, they declined the offer from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a minister of state position with independent charge.
Fadnavis explained that the BJP had initially offered the NCP one ministerial berth with independent charge, but the party was adamant about having Praful Patel's name finalized for the position. They believed that Patel's experience made him more suitable for a cabinet portfolio rather than a minister of state position.
He further emphasized that in a coalition government, a certain formula has to be followed and cannot be broken for the sake of one party. However, he assured that when the cabinet expansion takes place, the NCP will definitely be considered. The BJP had made efforts to include the NCP in the government currently, but the party was insistent on a cabinet portfolio.
Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, stated that the NCP was willing to wait for a cabinet berth in the central government. He highlighted that the party currently has one Lok Sabha member and one Rajya Sabha member and will soon have two additional Rajya Sabha MPs. With a total of four MPs, they believe they deserve a cabinet berth and are willing to wait for it.
Ajit Pawar also mentioned that the NCP's decision to support the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was made in the best interest of the nation. The NCP is a part of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, along with the BJP and the Shiv Sena. However, they did not fare well in the recent Lok Sabha elections, managing to win only one out of the four seats they contested. They also faced a defeat in Baramati, where Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar lost to sitting NCP MP Supriya Sule.
In conclusion, the NCP remains hopeful of securing a cabinet berth in the central government and has expressed their willingness to wait for it. The party's decision to support the NDA was taken in the interest of the nation, despite their disappointing performance in the recent elections.
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