Maharashtra: NCP seeks finance department, Bhujbal rules out cabinet reshuffle speculation

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal; CM Fadnavis; Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who held the finance portfolio in the BJP-led Mahayuti government until his death in a plane crash in January. FILE PICS

State minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Sunday said a party delegation met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to seek the finance portfolio, but dismissed speculation about a cabinet reshuffle in the state. Asked about speculation over the merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bhujbal told reporters that the issue was a "closed chapter".

Portfolio allocation

NCP leader and then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash in January, held the finance department, which is currently with CM Fadnavis. The NCP delegation, comprising Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar and senior party leaders Sunil Tatkare, Praful Patel and Bhujbal, met Fadnavis on Sunday to seek allocation of the finance portfolio to the party.

Positive response

Asked about the demand and whether Fadnavis gave any assurance or deadline for it, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bhujbal said a specific date could not be given. He claimed the CM was positive about the demand. On whether the NCP would accept any other arrangement, he asserted, "We want the finance department only."

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