PM Modi's cabinet post offer for Supriya Sule: Sharad Pawar denies reports

MUMBAI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar dismissed reports that PM Narendra Modi offered a cabinet post for his daughter Supriya Sule.

"For the last five years, some of the BJP leaders on many occasions suggest that (Supriya Sule) is a competent person, that she should join the process of decision-making and associate with us (BJP) on government but these are all general suggestions," Mr Pawar said, asked about his widely-reported comments to a regional channel on Monday.

In the interview to ABP Majha, Mr Pawar had reportedly said he had rejected PM Modi's offer to work together and include Ms Sule in his cabinet.

Any talk about the ministerial position for Ms Sule was "absolutely false information", he said, adding that the "Prime Minister never said this about any portfolio. He said she is doing a good job in parliament."

NCP MP Supriya Sule on Tuesday said she was humbled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suggestion that she should be part of the Union Cabinet and it shows his "magnanimity", but she asserted that it cannot happen.

"I was not in the conversation (between NCP President Sharad Pawar and Modi). I thank the Prime Minister from the bottom of my heart to show such faith and confidence in me. I am totally humbled by what he has said. But Mr. Pawar has categorically, very humbly told the Prime Minister that it is not possible," Sule told PTI.

She further said that the Prime Minister's suggestion to make her a Union minister shows his "magnanimity". But this could not happen, Sule said.

Her remarks came after NCP President Sharad Pawar, in an interview to ABP-Majha, dismissed reports that the Modi government offered to make him India's President.

Pawar had met the Prime Minister last month amid parleys between the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena.