Mumbai, Oct 22 The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday reiterated its demand for the finance portfolio in Maharashtra, with party leader Sunil Tatkare saying the issue had been discussed with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and further talks could be held if required.
“It has been our party’s stand from the beginning that the NCP should get the finance portfolio. The party is open to further deliberations on the matter,” Tatkare told reporters.
The finance portfolio was held by then deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar till his death in a plane accident in Baramati on January 28 this year. CM Fadnavis is handling the portfolio since then.
On questions over a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tatkare said there was nothing unusual about the interaction, as state leaders had travelled to Delhi to meet President Droupadi on Wednesday.
“Politics based merely on speculation and conjecture is not appropriate,” he said while responding to remarks made by NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar that the meeting should have been about the probe into the death of Ajit Pawar.
In the backdrop of the Tiger Shroff firing incident and security concerns involving prominent personalities, Tatkare said such incidents posed a challenge to the Mumbai police and Maharashtra police.
“The Home Department has instructed the police to conduct a speedy investigation. Mumbai police is probing the matter. The government is committed to taking firm action against hardened criminals and preventing such incidents from recurring,” Tatkare said.
On the drought situation, he said the welfare of farmers remained the government’s highest priority and assured that the state would make efforts to provide maximum assistance to those affected.
“The government had extended assistance to farmers during previous natural calamities and will continue to do so,” he added.
(PTI News)
