‘Reshuffle is not on party agenda’

Home Minister refutes media ‘speculation’ of replacement in the State cabinet

Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil as well as his Nationalist Congress Party has denied any plans of reshuffle or replacement in the cabinet or office-bearers from the party’s state unit. Newsreports, which appeared in a section of media on Thursday, have stated that the party high command is seriously contemplating a party reshuffle.

Talking to the media on Thursday, Patil said, “A meeting convened by party president Sharad Pawar was to discuss the internal party issues, but reshuffle or replacement is certainly not on the agenda,” Patil said, adding that the two portfolios lying vacant for over a year will be filled soon.

NCP spokesperson Prakash Binsale in a press conference claimed that his party is not thinking of changes either in party or in government at this juncture. While admitting infighting within the party on district level Binsale said, “The meeting held by Pawar on Wednesday evening was to pacify the ongoing factionalism and the reshuffle was not on the agenda during it.”

RR Patil and Water Resource minister Ajit Pawar were hurriedly summoned to Delhi by Pawar on Wednesday for a meeting that lasted three hours.