opposition-mocks-shinde-pawar-s-ministerial-roles

Leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition alliance criticised Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday regarding their parties' representation in the new Union ministry led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

During the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, Prataprao Jadhav of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena was appointed as Minister of State (MoS) with independent charge. Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) declined an MoS position, insisting on a cabinet post.

 

Sanjay Raut, spokesperson for Shiv Sena (UBT), stated that the "minuscule" representation of the two parties in Modi’s cabinet demonstrates that the BJP has relegated them to a lower status.

 

"This is what you get when you decide to be someone’s slaves," Raut told reporters.

 

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar commented that if the Ajit Pawar-led NCP does not accept the MoS post, they should forget about any future cabinet positions.

 

"Ajit Pawar must have realised, albeit late, that the BJP has a 'use and throw' policy for its allies," said Wadettiwar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly.

 

Baramati Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule expressed no surprise over the Ajit Pawar-led NCP not securing a cabinet berth in the Modi cabinet.

 

Sanjay Shirsat, spokesperson for the Shinde-led Sena, downplayed the opposition’s criticism, suggesting there might be reasons why his party did not receive a cabinet position.

 

"Why should others, who are out of power, be bothered about what we got?" said Shirsat, an MLA from the Marathwada region.

 

"When you (Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena) were in power, you had a cabinet post but of a minor portfolio like heavy industries," he added.