Mumbai:
The NCP, gearing up to fight it out for a larger share of the Maharashtra ministerial portfolios than senior partner Congress is inclined to give, seems to have been spared further trouble at home. For the time being.
Party chief Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar, believed to be sulking for not being picked to be Deputy Chief Minister, spoke out on Tuesday to set matters straight.
Pawar said he was not upset, had not "gone into a shell", that the decision to elect OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal was unanimous. And that "reports of me joining another party, being angry are not true".
The senior NCP leader explained that the misunderstanding was caused by his absence when Bhujbal's name was announced by Praful Patel on Monday evening. But, he said, he was in touch with Sharad Pawar on various works. He did add that "I don't need to tell others what I discuss with Sharad Pawar."
Pawar, considered a good administrator and the frontrunner for the post of NCP legislative party leader and Deputy Chief Minister, had only on Monday said he was a contender for the post. He made a public bid and his exclusion could be Sharad Pawar's attempt to clip his wings, and send the message that the NCP is not all about dynasty.
On Tuesday Ajit Pawar said: "It's not wrong to be a contestant or support one ... Everybody has to accept the decision taken by the party."
He also pointed out that he had never before "competed for the post of deputy chief minister", but also ruled out rotating the post saying: "Once a leader is elected, his election stands."
In the larger battle on ministries, the NCP has made it clear that it is either 50:50 or no deal. Chhagan Bhujbal's first words after being picked NCP leader in House were: "Give us half the cabinet seats or we won't join the government."
Party chief Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar, believed to be sulking for not being picked to be Deputy Chief Minister, spoke out on Tuesday to set matters straight.
Pawar said he was not upset, had not "gone into a shell", that the decision to elect OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal was unanimous. And that "reports of me joining another party, being angry are not true".
The senior NCP leader explained that the misunderstanding was caused by his absence when Bhujbal's name was announced by Praful Patel on Monday evening. But, he said, he was in touch with Sharad Pawar on various works. He did add that "I don't need to tell others what I discuss with Sharad Pawar."
Pawar, considered a good administrator and the frontrunner for the post of NCP legislative party leader and Deputy Chief Minister, had only on Monday said he was a contender for the post. He made a public bid and his exclusion could be Sharad Pawar's attempt to clip his wings, and send the message that the NCP is not all about dynasty.
On Tuesday Ajit Pawar said: "It's not wrong to be a contestant or support one ... Everybody has to accept the decision taken by the party."
He also pointed out that he had never before "competed for the post of deputy chief minister", but also ruled out rotating the post saying: "Once a leader is elected, his election stands."
In the larger battle on ministries, the NCP has made it clear that it is either 50:50 or no deal. Chhagan Bhujbal's first words after being picked NCP leader in House were: "Give us half the cabinet seats or we won't join the government."
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