Sunetra Pawar
Therefore, we have had positive discussions with CM Fadnavis on these issues. ” Bhujbal asserted that there was no discussion at the meeting with the CM about any merger of the two NCPs.
Bhujbal said the CM told the delegation that NCP would get the finance portfolio before the winter session begins in Dec. “We said it’s been a long time now, and the finance portfolio that we had should now be given to our party again. Last month, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had said his party would not merge with any other outfit for the sake of power and had asserted that the focus would now be on strengthening the organisation.
There have been discussions among our MLAs over this. We felt it was not right to have separate discussions and speculation. The finance portfolio was originally assigned to the late deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar when the Mahayuti alliance was formed. Following his death in a plane crash in Jan this year, Fadnavis took charge of the ministry, citing preparation for and presentation of the state budget in March, but the portfolio has remained with him since. NCP netas have pushed for getting back the finance department at multiple party core committee meetings. Sunetra currently holds the state excise, sports and youth welfare, and minority affairs portfolios. Bhujbal also addressed speculation of a cabinet reshuffle. “There are some rumours going on right now that four or five of our ministers will change… There is no truth to such things. There has been no discussion about it at all.”