Chhagan Bhujbal's resignation not accepted: Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said senior OBC leader and state cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal's resignation has not been accepted, reported news agency PTI.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be able to clarify on this, Fadnavis told reporters late Saturday night.

Bhujbal, who has accused the Maharashtra government of facilitating "backdoor entry" of the Maratha community into the quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), on Saturday said he resigned from the state cabinet on November 16 last year.

He further said that he kept quiet for more than two months because the chief minister and the deputy CM asked him not to speak about it.

Talking to reporters, Devendra Fadnavis said, "The chief minister will be able to clarify on this, but I can only say as of now that Chhagan Bhujbal's resignation has not been accepted by the chief minister or me," reported PTI.

Bhujbal, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP, on Saturday reiterated that he is not opposed to Marathas getting the reservation but is against sharing the existing quota for the OBCs.

"I will work for the welfare of OBCs and their rights throughout my life. There is no need to demand my resignation or kick me out as some opposition leaders and those from my alliance are demanding. I quit on November 16 last year," he said, reported PTI.

"I was silent on the issue for two-and-a-half months because the chief minister and the deputy chief minister had asked me not to speak about it," he added, reported PTI.

A Shiv Sena MLA from the Eknath Shinde camp had said Bhujbal should be sacked for trying to create a rift in society, reported PTI.

Bhujbal has accused the government of pandering to the demands of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday termed Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal's disclosure that he tendered his resignation from the state cabinet last November as a 'hogwash', reported PTI.

Bhujbal claims he resigned from the cabinet last year but he attended the cabinet meetings after that, Raut noted while talking to reporters.

(With inputs from PTI)