NCP Turns Down MoS Rank, Opts to Wait for Cabinet Rank

NCP Turns Down MoS Rank, Opts to Wait for Cabinet Rank

Keywords: NCP, Council of Ministers, Cabinet Rank, Sharad Pawar

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a key ally of the ruling coalition, has declined the offer of a Minister of State (MoS) rank in the Union Council of Ministers. The party has instead expressed its preference for a Cabinet rank, citing its significant contribution to the political alliance.

NCP sources confirmed that party chief Sharad Pawar conveyed this decision to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting on Sunday. The party believes that its experience and influence merit a more senior position in the government.

Pawar, a veteran politician who has served as both Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Union Agriculture Minister, has been a key figure in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra.

The NCP’s decision has sparked speculation about a possible realignment of political alliances. The party has been a staunch supporter of the Congress-led UPA but has also been criticized for its association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra.

Sources within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have indicated that the NCP’s demand for a Cabinet rank is under consideration. However, it remains unclear whether the party will be accommodated in the current Council of Ministers or will have to wait for a future reshuffle.

The NCP’s decision is expected to have a significant impact on the political landscape in Maharashtra, as well as at the national level. It is likely to fuel further discussions about the changing dynamics of political alliances in the run-up to the 2024 general elections.