NCP Rejects BJP's Offer: Praful Patel Declines Demotion in NDA Government

The NCP has refused the BJP's offer to have Praful Patel serve as a minister of state with independent charge, calling it a demotion. Patel has previously served as a Cabinet minister. BJP's Devendra Fadnavis mentioned the criteria for ministerial berths based on parliamentary strength, assuring that the NCP would be accommodated in future expansions.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) turned down Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) offer to accommodate Praful Patel as a minister of state with independent charge in the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, calling the position a ‘demotion’ for Patel who previously held a Cabinet minister role.

Patel, working president of the BJP's ally, emphasized that his past experience warranted a more substantial role. On the day Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister, Patel stated that remedial measures were promised by the BJP leadership, and they are awaiting further developments.

BJP leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis and Vinod Tawde, met with Patel to discuss the situation. Fadnavis clarified that the allocation of ministerial positions is based on party strength in Parliament and assured the NCP that their requests for a Cabinet rank would be considered in future Cabinet expansions. NCP’s alignment with BJP remains steadfast, as evidenced by NCP president Ajit Pawar’s attendance at the swearing-in ceremony.