Mumbai Oct 27 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar Tuesday insisted that “no injustice” has been done to him by the selection of Chhagan Bhujbal as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister.
Ajit Pawar, a strong contender for the post, was bypassed by his uncle and NCP chief Sharad Pawar in favour of Bhujbal.

“The decision to elect Bhujbal as deputy chief minister was taken unanimously by the party and I am fully behind it. I am not in the race for any post even now. I have been in regular contact with Sharad Pawar and I work under his guidance,” Ajit Pawar told media persons here.

He added that he was neither disappointed nor upset, and scotched all speculation about differences in the party after he was denied the post.

About the allocation of portfolios between the two alliance partners, Ajit Pawar reiterated the NCP’s known stand that the agreed power-share formula of 1999 must be applicable now.

“Unless that (1999 formula of power-sharing) is implemented, the NCP would be compelled to offer outside support to the Congress,” Ajit Pawar said.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Sharad Pawar said that in New Delhi that the allocation of portfolios was a party matter which would be decided in Maharashtra.

Ajit Pawar also said that in the 2004 elections, even though the NCP had 71 seats compared to 69 of the Congress, it agreed to accept the post of deputy chief minister and let the Congress retain the chief minister’s post.

“At that time, to keep the chief minister’s post, the Congress offered us (NCP) four extra ministries and 3 departments,” he recalled.

This time, the Congress - with 82 seats under its belt - is insisting on keeping the crucial home, finance and agriculture departments, among others. In the previous government, these were held by the NCP, which this time has secured 62 seats.