India, June 8 -- NCP cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal has declined the party leadership's offer to nominate him to the Rajya Sabha from the seat vacated by deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar who was recently elected to the state Assembly from Baramati during the recent bypoll.

Speaking to HT, Bhujbal said the party was "not keen" to accept his proposal to induct his nephew and senior NCP leader Sameer Bhujbal into the state cabinet.

Had Bhujbal moved to Delhi, Sameer was expected to contest the Assembly bypoll from the Yeola constituency in Nashik district, represented by the senior Bhujbal since 2004.

"Since the party's top leadership did not agree to my suggestion, I have informed them that I will not go to Delhi as a Rajya Sabha MP...