MUMBAI: State revenue minister Radkakrishna Vikhe Patil on Wednesday took on his cabinet colleague food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal and said he should resign before making public statements against cabinet decisions, in reference to the latter’s comment asking for the Justice Shinde committee set up by a cabinet decision to be wound up.
Bhujbal shot back saying he would resign if the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister asked him to.
Amid the Maratha-OBC stand-off, Bhujbal had alleged on Sunday that fake documents were being distributed to prove the Kunbi (OBC) antecedents of Marathas so they could avail of OBC caste certificates. He asked that the Justice Shinde committee which was laying out the procedure of providing the Kunbi certificates be disbanded, and Kunbi certificates given over the last two months be scrapped. Bhujbal is an OBC leader, who belongs to the NCP (Ajit Pawar group).
Vikhe Patil, who is a Maratha leader from the BJP, said, “A senior leader like Bhujbal should have self-control. He should leave the cabinet and then make such statements. Otherwise, the public will begin doubting the government even though the decisions are unanimous. The Chief Minister should take a stand on him,” said Vikhe Patil.
In response, Bhujbal said, “He is a friend. He should tell his leader. I am ready to resign. If I get a message from the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, I will resign.”
Meanwhile, speaking at a rally in Karjat, Ajit Pawar tried to calm troubled waters by saying, “The government is of the view that an additional quota should be provided without affecting the existing quotas. There can be different points of view on this and it should be an opportunity to have a discussion.”
