Disgruntled ministers free to quit: Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday came down heavily on the disgruntled ministers in his party who have been complaining after not getting portfolios of their choice. ‘‘All those who are unhappy with the portfolios can join party work if they are not satisfied with the allocation of the departments,’’ Pawar said here after attending a function in North-West Mumbai. He categorically said that there would be no change in the allocation of portfolios among NCP ministers.

At least half-a-dozen NCP members of the Cabinet, including Public Works Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Higher and Technical Education Minister Suresh Jain, Public Health Minister Vimal Mundada and PWD (public sector units) Minister Anil Deshmukh, are unhappy after not getting departments of their choice.

In the NCP, the portfolio allocation was finalised by Pawar himself in consultation with Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil and Water Resources Minister Ajit Pawar, who happens to be the NCP chief’s nephew.