Maharashtra: NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal meets Sharad Pawar amid buzz over possible exit from party

Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal (File photo/PTI)

MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar at his Mumbai residence on Monday, a day after making a veiled criticism of the opposition's boycott of an all-party meeting on the Maratha quota issue . Bhujbal, a member of the rival NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar , visited Sharad Pawar's 'Silver Oak' residence in Mumbai.Bhujbal has not provided any reason for the meeting. On July 9, leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which includes the Congress, NCP (SP), and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), skipped the all-party meeting called by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The opposition claimed they were not consulted on the Maratha reservation issue.Bhujbal had alleged on Sunday that the opposition's absence on July 9 was due to a "phone call from Baramati at 5 pm." Baramati in Pune district is a stronghold of the 83-year-old Sharad Pawar.Sources within the NCP hinted that Bhujbal feels unheard within the party. Although he is part of Ajit Pawar's faction, he is reportedly politically alienated within the party.Commenting on Bhujbal's meeting with Sharad Pawar, state minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said that, "It is a customary practice in Maharashtra for political leaders to engage in discussions with one another regardless of their ideological differences. It is unjust to scrutinise every interaction between two leaders and draw premature conclusions."NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad remarked, "It is a reflection of Sharad Pawar's generosity that he allocates time to individuals who hold contrasting views, even within the public domain. I am not concerned about the internal affairs of Bhujbal's party. Let the meeting take place if he desires to meet Pawar and he has granted him an audience."Meanwhile, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the BJP state president, conveyed his assurance that Chhagan Bhujbal would not make any choices that could harm the Mahayuti alliance.Bawankule stated, "Bhujbal would inform what the meeting (with Sharad Pawar) was about." He believes that Bhujbal will provide clarity regarding the purpose and content of his discussion with Pawar.