Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal met with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Monday amid the ongoing reservation row, which is gaining momentum ahead of the October Assembly elections.
The meeting comes after Bhujbal alleged that the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) boycotted an all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to discuss the reservation issue, claiming they received a phone call from Baramati. Bhujbal’s statement sparked a backlash from NCP Working President Supriya Sule, who dared him to reveal the caller’s identity.
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However, after the statement, Bhujbal who is the ruling ally NCP’s Food & Civil Supplies Minister expectedly faced criticism from NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule, who sharply dared him to name the “caller from Baramati”, and also check the CDR details of all concerned.
NCP Chief Spokesperson Vidya Chavan downplayed the meeting, stating that many leaders regularly meet with Pawar. Meanwhile, Congress state President Nana Patole explained that they skipped the all-party meeting because the government didn’t consult them on the reservation issue.
Bhujbal, a prominent OBC leader, has been at odds with Shivba Sanghatana chief Manoj Jarange-Patil over the Maratha quota agitation. While Bhujbal supports reservation for Marathas, he insists it shouldn’t affect existing OBC quotas. The meeting with Pawar has sparked intense political speculation ahead of the Assembly polls.
