Tension In Mahayuti : Ajit Pawar Admits Some Ministers Unhappy With Portfolio Allocation ; Chhagan Bhujbal Fumes Over Exclusion From Cabinet

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Acknowledging the high number of ministers and the restrictions in assigning portfolios to each of them, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that some members are obviously not happy.

According to PTI, A day after portfolios were allocated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said the work on pending projects would begin soon.

The NCP chief led a road show in his constituency, Baramati, and attended felicitation programmes.

“As the number of ministers is high, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had to give each minister a portfolio. Obviously, some are happy and some are not,” Pawar said at an event.

He pointed out that the state Cabinet includes only six ministers of state, while the rest 36 are cabinet ministers.

Pawar, who retained the finance ministry, said he would take charge of the office on Monday.

The deputy CM further said the work on multiple projects had to be stopped temporarily after the model code of conduct kicked in for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections.

Earlier, Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday launched a veiled attack on party president Ajit Pawar over his exclusion from the new council of ministers, claiming Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in favour of his induction in the cabinet.

“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.