Pune: Opposition parties accused BJP of applying double standards, hours after NCP stalwart Chhagan Bhujbal was inducted into state cabinet on Tuesday.“It was the same BJP which initiated a probe by the Enforcement Directorate against Bhujbal and had him put behind bars. Now the same BJP has welcomed him into the cabinet. It shows their double standards,” state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said. He further said it is a perfect example of how BJP’s “washing machine” works. “It is BJP’s style of work where it files cases and targets politicians from other parties, and when they join hands with them, the same politicians are rewarded.” AAP alleged that BJP is playing opportunistic politics. “It was Devendra Fadnavis and Kirit Somaiya who made serious allegations against Bhujbal. Now what happened to all those allegations? BJP preaches to others about playing clean politics, but when it comes to practising it, the party never follows it,” Maharashtra AAP’s spokesperson Mukund Kirdat said.Amid speculations of reuniting with deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s faction, Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) reacted cautiously. “Initially, Bhujbal was kept out of the cabinet, but finally he got the opportunity to work as a minister. This cabinet needs some experience, and Bhujbal has a lot of it,” said state NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil.Ignored during the formation of the second term of the Mahayuti govt, OBC strongman Bhujbal was finally sworn in as minister at a function in Mumbai on Tuesday. He is yet to be allocated a portfolio.
