Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar rejected the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) offer of the Minister of State with Independent Charge portfolio for his colleague Praful Patel, citing that Patel had previously served as a cabinet minister in the central government. Pawar stated that they would wait for a cabinet ministry instead, given that their ranks are expected to grow with the entrance of new Rajya Sabha members. The rejection came after the NDA's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, with NCP winning only one seat while BJP and Shiv Sena secured 9 and 7 respectively. NCP's Sharad Pawar leader Rohit Pawar also commented on the rejection, stating that those who ally with BJP see a decrease in their power.
NCP Rejects BJP's Offer of Minister of State Post for Praful Patel
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has turned down the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) offer of the Minister of State with Independent Charge portfolio for Praful Patel. The decision was announced by NCP chief Ajit Pawar.
Background
The offer was made in the wake of the recent Lok Sabha elections, in which the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) performed poorly in Maharashtra. The NCP won only one seat, while the BJP and Shiv Sena secured 9 and 7 seats respectively.
Patel, a former Union Minister, was being considered for the post of Minister of State for Aviation. However, Pawar rejected the offer, stating that Patel had previously served as a cabinet minister in the central government.
Pawar's Statement
Pawar said that the NCP would wait for a cabinet ministry instead, given that their ranks are expected to grow with the entrance of new Rajya Sabha members. He also hinted that those who ally with the BJP see a decrease in their power.
Sharad Pawar's Comment
NCP leader Sharad Pawar also commented on the rejection, stating that those who ally with BJP see a decrease in their power.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why did the NCP reject the BJP's offer?
The NCP rejected the offer because Patel had previously served as a cabinet minister in the central government. The party is demanding a cabinet ministry instead.
2. What was the BJP's offer?
The BJP offered Patel the post of Minister of State with Independent Charge for Aviation.
3. Why is the NCP confident of getting a cabinet ministry?
The NCP is confident of getting a cabinet ministry because it expects to increase its ranks with the entrance of new Rajya Sabha members.
4. What did Sharad Pawar say about the rejection?
Sharad Pawar said that those who ally with BJP see a decrease in their power.
5. What are the future prospects for the NCP?
The NCP is expected to continue to play a key role in Maharashtra politics. The party is likely to ally with other opposition parties to challenge the BJP's dominance in the state.
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