Modi Cabinet 2024: NCP Chief Ajit Pawar Presses For Cabinet Seat As Praful Patel Calls Union MoS Offer A 'Demotion'

The NCP has expressed dissatisfaction with the offer of Minister of State (MoS)-Independent charge position in Modi's third consecutive NDA cabinet with Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel voicing their concerns

File Photo of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel ( Image Source :PTI )

Modi Cabinet 2024: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Ajit Pawar has voiced his discontent over the offered Minister of State (MoS)-Independent charge position in the third consecutive NDA cabinet, with Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel terming it a 'demotion'. This comes amidst a series of negotiations between the BJP-led government and its allies in Maharashtra.

According to news agency ANI, Patel expressed, "There is some misunderstanding created. Last night we were informed that our party will get a Minister of State with independent charge which Devendra ji clarified which is in line with what is being offered to all other alliance partners. I was earlier a Cabinet Minister in the Union Government, so I had a reservation as this would be a demotion for me. We have informed the BJP leadership and they have already told us to just wait for a few days, they will take remedial measures."

#WATCH | NCP leader Praful Patel says, "...Last night we were informed that our party will get a Minister of State with independent charge...I was earlier a Cabinet Minister in the Union Government, so this will be a demotion for me. We have informed the BJP leadership and they… pic.twitter.com/RlfigNH2ar

— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024

NCP President Ajit Pawar stressed the demand for a cabinet minister berth as he clarified that the party will attend the NDA cabinet swearing-in ceremony today.

"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," he said, as quoted by ANI.

Pawar put to rest any speculation of joining the Opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc as he said, "Our support is with NDA, there is no problem in that..."

#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar says, "Our support is with NDA, there is no problem in that..." pic.twitter.com/KLq2Z25eq6

— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024

He further said, "We have one Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha MP today, but in the next two to three months we will have a total of three members in the Rajya Sabha and our number of MPs in Parliament will be four. So we said we should be given one (cabinet ministry) seat."

#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar says, "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,… pic.twitter.com/POBpI0pS3L

— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024

This statement follows Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis's clarification that the NCP was offered an MoS Independent Charge position, but due to Patel's prior status as a Cabinet Minister, the party declined the offer. Fadnavis said, "When a government is formed with an alliance, some criteria need to be decided, because several sides are together. But because of one party, the criteria cannot be twisted", as per ANI.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Nationalist Congress Party was offered one seat from the government- MoS Independent Charge. But their request was from their side Praful Patel's name was finalised and he was already a minister. Therefore, he would not be… pic.twitter.com/pqij8h1Vxc

— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024

Fadnavis further extended his congratulations to the newly appointed ministers, including experienced leaders like Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, and Ramdas Athawale, as well as promising newcomers like Raksha Khadse and Muralidhar Mohol.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Several experienced & senior leaders of Maharashtra have gotten a chance in Modi government, the NDA government. I congratulate them all. Nitin Gadkari ji, Piyush Goyal ji & Ramdas Athawale ji are again going to be part of… pic.twitter.com/Jr1wvc84vm

— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024

'Ajit Dada's Power Has Been Reduced': Rohit Pawar

These developments come as reports suggested that NCP chief Ajit Pawar is displeased with the lack of communication from the BJP regarding ministerial positions.

Meanwhile, Rohit Pawar, a leader from the NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar party, took a swipe at chief Ajit Pawar, stating, "Ajit Dada's power has been reduced. The BJP wants to send a message that they did not benefit from Ajit dada in Lok Sabha... There is no utlisation for him. Ajit Dada will have to fight with the BJP's symbol ahead. Praful Patel has benefited the most. The ED investigation has also been closed, and he has got the Rajya Sabha seat."

#WATCH | NCP-SCP leader Rohit Pawar says, "Those who go (Ajit Pawar) with BJP their power reduced...BJP wants to give a message that they did not benefit from them in the Lok Sabha...Praful Patel has benefitted the most in all this...The smartest person with Ajit Pawar is Praful… pic.twitter.com/700HlDRPqP

— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024

He called Praful Patel the "smartest leader" who reaped a lot of benefits with his association with former Maharashtra CM Sharad Pawar before joining the Ajit Pawar faction.