Right before the oath-taking ceremony took place, Pratul Patel, a seasoned politician came up expressing his dissatisfaction for being offered with the independent charge position offered to him. He by rejecting the post said that accepting it would be a demotion for him.

While speaking to the reporters, the leader said that he had communicated his concern with BJP leadership and they have assured him to consider it within the next few days.

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He said, “Last night we were informed that our party will get a Minister of State with independent charge…I was earlier a Cabinet Minister in the Union Government, so this will be a demotion for me. We have informed the BJP leadership and they have already told us to just wait for a few days, they will take remedial measures.”

#WATCH | NCP leader Praful Patel says, “…Last night we were informed that our party will get a Minister of State with independent charge…I was earlier a Cabinet Minister in the Union Government, so this will be a demotion for me. We have informed the BJP leadership and they… pic.twitter.com/RlfigNH2ar

— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024

Praful Patel, a seasonal politician and a prominent NCP figure has served as the Cabinet minister in the Union government in the past. And thus being appointed as the Minister of State is perceived as a step down from his previous position.

Similarly, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that the NCP had requested a cabinet minister’s post. However, he had to be content with the position of minister of state with independent charge.

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Fadnavis elaborated on the challenges of forming an alliance government and emphasized the certain criteria that need to be taken care of considering the involvement of multiple parties. He said that the criteria cannot be altered to accommodate a single party’s demand.

Defying the exit polls that predicted a clean sweep for BJP with 300-400 seats, the saffron party far from its ‘400 paar’ only won 240 short of 32 seats required to the majority. Thus the party had to depend on its allies to form the government. Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA alliance, led by Rahul Gandhi won 232 seats. Unlike the previous government, the BJP will have to hold on to its alliances to prevent a fall of its regime.