NCP Leaders Urge Maharashtra CM to Restore Finance Portfolio
Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar and NCP officials meet CM Fadnavis to reclaim the finance ministry ahead of the winter session.
NCP delegation demands return of finance portfolio from CM Fadnavis.
CM assures NCP will regain the portfolio before the December winter session.
No discussions on merging NCP factions were held during the meeting.
In a significant political move, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, accompanied by senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday. The meeting aimed to discuss the restoration of the finance ministry to the NCP, a demand that has been a focal point for the party following a recent core committee meeting.
The delegation, which included prominent figures such as Chhagan Bhujbal, Sunil Tatkare, Dhananjay Munde, and Hasan Mushrif, emphasized the need for the finance portfolio to be returned to the NCP. Bhujbal reported that Fadnavis indicated that the transfer would occur before the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly, scheduled to begin in December. He noted, "We expressed that it has been a considerable time since we held the finance portfolio, and it is crucial for our party to reclaim it. Our MLAs have discussed this matter thoroughly."
The finance portfolio was initially assigned to the late Ajit Pawar, who served as deputy CM until his tragic death in a plane crash earlier this year. Following this event, Fadnavis took over the ministry, citing the need for continuity in preparing the state budget. Since then, the finance department has remained under his purview, prompting repeated calls from NCP leaders for its return during various party meetings. Currently, Sunetra Pawar oversees portfolios related to state excise, sports and youth welfare, and minority affairs.
During the meeting, Bhujbal also addressed rumors regarding a potential cabinet reshuffle, stating that there was no truth to claims that several NCP ministers would be replaced. He clarified, "There are ongoing rumors about changes among our ministers, but there has been no discussion regarding this matter."
Looking ahead, the NCP is focused on solidifying its organizational strength rather than pursuing any mergers with other political factions. Sharad Pawar, the leader of NCP (SP), has previously asserted that the party will not merge with others merely for power, emphasizing the importance of strengthening its base as they prepare for upcoming political challenges.
