Mumbai, June 8: Senior NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal dismissed reports of injustice against him on Monday. However, he asserted that he deserves the same justice that others have received.
Speaking to reporters after the nomination of party candidate Rajendra Jain for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on June 18, Bhujbal expressed his desire to be nominated himself. He mentioned that he had requested the party to consider his nephew, former MP Sameer Bhujbal, for his ministerial seat.
In his defense, he pointed out several examples within the state. He noted that NCP MLA Makrand Patil is a minister in the state cabinet, while his brother Nitin Patil is a Rajya Sabha member. Similarly, Supriya Pawar serves as Deputy Chief Minister, and her son Parth Pawar is in the Rajya Sabha. Eknath Shinde is also a Deputy Chief Minister, with his son Shrikant Shinde in the Lok Sabha. Bhujbal expressed his wish that if he were nominated for the Rajya Sabha, Sameer Bhujbal could be included in the state cabinet. He emphasized that he seeks the same justice that others have received.
Bhujbal denied claims that the BJP opposed his proposal. He stated that whenever the state cabinet is expanded, the matter will be considered, and Sameer Bhujbal will receive a ministerial position.
He clarified that there was only one day left to decide when his proposal was presented to the BJP. The BJP responded that they would consider including Sameer Bhujbal in the next cabinet expansion, making it incorrect to say that the BJP rejected the proposal.
When directly asked if he felt wronged, Bhujbal replied, “What injustice? Things are moving as they do these days. Our policy is ‘today or tomorrow, tomorrow or the day after.’ I am a kabaddi player, not a chess player.”
Reiterating his stance, he stated, “I am not angry. What is there to be angry about? But I should have received the same justice that others did. Other leaders are in the Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha, and their children are ministers here in the state. I have been at the forefront of building the NCP since its inception, so my only demand is to receive the same justice.”
Notably, when Sameer Bhujbal did not receive a ministerial position, Chhagan Bhujbal withdrew his name. Subsequently, the party’s working president Praful Patel recommended his close associate Rajendra Jain for the Rajya Sabha, a decision approved by the core committee, particularly Parth Pawar.
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