Chhagan Bhujbal: ‘Fadnavis told Ajit I must be made minister… Tried till the last minute to induct me into Cabinet’

IE: Were you promised a ministerial berth in the Fadnavis Cabinet?

Chhagan Bhujbal: Is that even a question for a person like me who has been working (as a minister) for so many years? This was not a point of contention even during my days with the Shiv Sena. If the government is ours, it is obvious that I will be a part of the Cabinet. It is just not about seniority but also the work that I have been doing.

Also, the issue here is not my exclusion from the Cabinet but the treatment being meted out to me. It is very disheartening.

I have taken everyone head-on over the past one year (during the Maratha quota agitation). They (the Mahayuti leadership) should have taken all this into account before taking this decision. Their move is sending out a wrong message to the OBCs and other classes.

IE: What exactly transpired? Have you spoken to NCP chief Ajit Pawar and party leader Praful Patel over the issue?

Chhagan Bhujbal: We had spoken. Patel told me that Ajit dada had asked me to speak with him. I then spoke to Ajit dada, who said I should be going to the Rajya Sabha as the party will ask sitting MP Nitin Patil to resign and make Patil’s brother Makrand a minister.

Ahead of the Assembly polls, the party leadership had rejected my proposal to go to the Upper House saying I was needed in the state and should contest the Assembly polls, and that winning Yeola was difficult without me. So, I agreed and contested the elections. Now, they are telling me that Makrand has been made a minister and want me to go to the Rajya Sabha.

To do so, I need to resign as an MLA. Will this not be a betrayal of the people of my constituency? The Assembly election was not easy and people had worked tirelessly for my victory. Resigning now is like cheating my people.

IE: When did this discussion happen? What did you tell the leadership?

Chhagan Bhujbal: This happened eight days ago. I told them I cannot resign. I also told them I can go to the Upper House after two years and asked them to make me a minister till then. I was told the matter would be discussed further, but nothing of that sort happened.

IE: Is this the only issue? Have you been included by the NCP in other decision-making processes?

Chhagan Bhujbal: I was not a part of any decision making. Initially, we all decided matters together, be it party affairs or in Cabinet meetings, but this has stopped. I am not consulted for anything now. Only Ajit, Patel and (Raigad MP) Sunil Tatkare take decisions now.

IE: Do you think you were denied a Cabinet berth because of the stand you took in favour of the OBCs against the Maratha quota protests?

Chhagan Bhujbal: It could be a factor. If you see, they have left me out but inducted two Marathas (Makrand and Manikrao Kokate) from Nashik district into the Cabinet. However, the issue is not about OBC representation but having a strong leader from the community who will fearlessly fight in their favour.

A lot has happened over the past one year (during the Maratha quota stir). While leaders were scared to speak up due to the fear of losing Maratha votes, I was the only leader who vocally raised the issues of the OBC communities. The OBC leaders who have been inducted are new but there must be a senior and experienced person to fight for OBC rights like I do.

IE: Did you speak to Fadnavis?

Chhagan Bhujbal: I had spoken to him. He also told Ajit that I must be made a minister. Till the last minute, he was insistent and tried to get me inducted into the Cabinet.

IE: What will your next step be?

Chhagan Bhujbal: Let us see. Supporters from across the state will arrive in Nashik on Saturday. I will decide my next step after consulting them.

IE: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said you have been in touch with him…

Chhagan Bhujbal: We both have been in politics for decades and interact with each other on a personal level and exchange greetings out of courtesy. This does not mean there will be any political realignment.