NCP Missed Out for Insisting on Cabinet Berth Instead of MoS with Independent Charge: Fadnavis

Mumbai, Jun 9 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fnavis on Sunday said Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party wanted a cabinet berth in Narendra Modi government and declined an offer from BJP of minister of state (MoS) with independent charge.

"We h offered one berth of minister with independent charge to NCP but it was insistent that (Rajya Sabha MP) Praful Patel's name be finalised. Due to his (Patel's) experience, NCP believed he could not be me MoS with independent charge," he said.

"In a coalition government, a formula has to be drawn, which cannot be broken for one party. I can confidently say whenever cabinet expansion takes place, (Union) government will consider NCP. We did try to include NCP right now, but y insisted on cabinet portfolio," senior BJP leer asserted.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Delhi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar asserted NCP "was rey to wait" but wanted a cabinet berth.

"We have one Lok Sabha member (Sunil Tatkare) and one Rajya Sabha MP (Praful Patel). In coming months, we will have two ditional Rajya Sabha MPs. We will have four MPs (n). We should (n) get a cabinet berth. We are rey to wait but want a cabinet berth," Pawar said.

"We have decided to support NDA in interest of nation," NCP chief ded.

Ajit Pawar-led NCP, part of ruling alliance in Maharashtra along with BJP and Shiv Sena, performed poorly in Lok Sabha polls, managing to win just one seat (Raig) from four it contested. It also lost prestige battle in Baramati, where Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar was trounced by sitting NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule.

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