NCP leader Dhananjay Munde has suggested that Maharashtra’s next chief minister will come from the party led by Sharad Pawar.

Speaking at a public meeting in the town of Parbhani on Saturday, Munde said that the social justice department of the outgoing MVA government led by Shiv Sena has gained prestige through his efforts.

“If a question arises tomorrow as to who to hand over the Social Justice portfolio……who would be the next Chief Minister…and the CM will be ours (PCN) only. The CM will say that let the social justice portfolio stay with us (NCP) This department has earned such a reputation,” Munde said.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is the key element in the dispensation led by Uddhav Thackeray, who completed just two and a half years in power last month.

Munde said he had worked effectively as the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council of Maharashtra in the past.

The NCP holds the important portfolios of Finance, led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, and Interior in the state government.

“Previously, NCP leader Sharad Pawar appointed me as opposition leader (in the Legislative Council of Maharashtra). No matter how stable and powerful I had shaken the government of the day,” he added.