Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed that Pralhad Joshi's appointment as Union Education Minister is only temporary, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intends to appoint Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to the post in the future.
Speaking to reporters, Raut questioned Joshi's long-term role in the Education Ministry and suggested that the current arrangement was only an interim measure.
"Pralhad Joshi is temporary education minister. He can be Coal Minister at max," Raut said.
The Rajya Sabha MP further claimed that Prime Minister Modi sees Fadnavis as the ideal candidate to head the Education Ministry. "PM Modi wants to appoint Devendra Fadnavis as education minister. Fadnavis can be the best Education Minister," he said.
Raut, however, added that the BJP faces a political dilemma in Maharashtra if such a move is made. "The dilemma is who will succeed him as Maharashtra's new Chief Minister," he remarked.
The remarks come a day after Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of the Ministry of Education, following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amid the controversy surrounding the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. Joshi continues to hold his existing Union portfolios alongside the Education Ministry.
There has been no official response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Prime Minister's Office, or the Union government on Raut's claims. The Centre has also not indicated any plan to replace Joshi as Education Minister.
