'Everything's well if it ends well': Chhagan Bhujbal after taking oath as Maharashtra minister

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal, the newly inducted minister in the Mahayuti-led government in Maharashtra, on Tuesday said that he would be satisfied with whatever responsibility or portfolio was granted to him in the cabinet.

"As it is said, 'everything is well if it ends well'," Bhujbal told ANI, adding, "I have not expressed anything regarding this (getting a preferred portfolio). Whatever I will get, I will get."

When asked about the portfolio expectations, Bhujbal said that it was the decision of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. "I have been a minister (on several occasions) since 1991. I have handled every responsibility, from the Home Ministry to everything. Whatever responsibility I'll be given, that will be alright. It's the prerogative of the CM," the senior NCP leader said.

Bhujbal on Tuesday morning took oath as a minister in the Mahayuti-led Maharashtra government at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor CP Radhakrishnan, who administered Bhujbal's oath.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, the chief of NCP, were also present at the occasion, along with other prominent ministers in the Mahayuti government.

Shinde said that Bhujbal had served as a minister earlier, and his experience would benefit the Maharashtra government. He said that CM Fadnavis would decide on the portfolio for the veteran leader. The Deputy Chief Minister further informed that Bhujbal started his political career with the Shiv Sena and was a Shiv Sainik of Bal Thackeray.

"Chhagan Bhujbal has served as a minister before as well. He has led many departments. He is an experienced minister. He is also a Shiv Sainik of Balasaheb Thackeray. He started from the Shiv Sena. He started from corporator, mayor and went on to become an MLA and a minister. He has held many positions. Today, he has taken the oath again. I want to congratulate him. His experience will benefit the government. The portfolio will be decided by the Chief Minister," Shinde told ANI.

In the past, Bhujbal, the MLA from Yeola in the Nashik district, held key positions as a cabinet minister and served as the deputy chief minister in different Maharashtra governments. He served as the fifth Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1999 to 2003. Bhujbal started his political career with the Shiv Sena in the 1960s, when the regional movement advocating for the rights of Marathi speakers was at its peak.

(ANI)