Nobody unhappy in my party over Ajit Pawar joining government: Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said nobody in Shiv Sena is unhappy over NCP leader Ajit Pawar's inclusion in the state ministry.

Shinde described as "rumours spread by opposition" reports that his chief ministerial chair may be in jeopardy after Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs joined his year-old state ministry.

Some Shiv Sena legislators had apparently raised concerns after the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar joined the state government. Shinde presided over a meeting of Shiv Sena MLAs, MLCs and MPs on Wednesday.

Ajit Pawar had called for an all-NCP leaders meeting at MET in Bandra., Mumbai. During his address to the NCP leaders, Ajit Pawar has said that he wants to be Maharashtra's Chief Minister.

This remark by Ajit Pawar about wanting to be a CM has created a flutter in political circles.

The remark has made the Shinde camp, which is awaiting the Assembly Speaker's ruling on disqualification complaint against its MLAs, nervous. Maharashtra minister Uday Samant, who belongs to the Shinde-led group, said reports about Shinde's resignation were false.

After Ajit Pawar joined the NDA government, UBT faction spokesperson Sanjay Raut called CM Eknath Shinde as a temporary guest. "At best, he is a 'temporary guest' ('kuchh dinon ka mehmaan'). The Speaker's verdict on the disqualification of 16 MLAs including Shinde has to come soon. The BJP has realised that Shinde has outlived his utility and the NCP split is to safeguard their position later," said Raut.

(With inputs from PTI)