As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his swearing-in ceremony for his third term, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has raised objections over the allocation of Minister of State (MoS) with independent charge for Praful Patel, considering it a demotion.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP Chief Ajit Pawar voiced his concerns regarding the ministerial position offered to Praful Patel. Pawar emphasized that Patel had previously served as a cabinet minister in the central government and deserved a cabinet rank once again.
“Prafull Patel has served as a cabinet minister in the central government and we did not feel right in taking Minister of State with independent charge. So we told them (BJP) that we are ready to wait for a few days, but we want a cabinet ministry. We are going to attend the swearing-in ceremony today,” Ajit Pawar stated.
Ajit Pawar further elaborated on the NCP’s current and projected representation in Parliament. “We have one Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha MP today, but in the next 2-3 months we will have a total of 3 members in the Rajya Sabha and our number of MPs in Parliament will be 4. So we said we should be given one (cabinet ministry) seat,” he added.
Despite the disagreement over the ministerial allocation, Ajit Pawar confirmed that the NCP would still participate in the swearing-in ceremony. The decision to attend reflects the party’s commitment to its alliance with the BJP, while also signaling its insistence on fair representation in the central government.
The swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi marks a significant event, not just for the BJP but for its allies as well. The formation of the new cabinet is a critical step in setting the tone for the government’s functioning over the next term. The NCP’s demand for a cabinet position for Praful Patel highlights the ongoing negotiations and adjustments within the alliance, emphasizing the importance of each party’s representation and role in the government.
As the Modi government embarks on its third term, the distribution of ministerial roles remains a crucial aspect of maintaining alliance stability. The NCP’s objection to the allocation for Praful Patel and its demand for a cabinet ministry underscores the dynamic nature of coalition politics.