In a surprising turn of events, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party rebel leader, Ajit Pawar, chose to stay back while Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Delhi. This absence has sparked speculation about internal rifts within Maharashtra’s triple engine government, raising concerns about potential political turbulence.
The document also indicated that Ajit Pawar had requested the position of district guardian minister for Chhagan Bhujbal (Nashik), Hasan Mushrif (Kolhapur), Dhananjay Munde (Beed), and Aditi Tatkare (Raigad). Previously, Ajit Pawar had been assigned the crucial Finance portfolio in the tripartite government.
The role of a guardian minister involves providing individual focus and assistance to the district, collaborating with the district collector and other officials to tackle local requirements and stimulate development.
Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticized Pawar’s absence, labeling it as a “political illness” indicative of deeper discord within the government. NCP MP Supriya Sule expressed her concerns, highlighting the apparent dissatisfaction within the ruling faction, even questioning the stability of the government.
“Ajit Pawar seems to be suffering from political illness…He is apparently upset over the delay in appointment of district guardian ministers,” said Opposition leader Vijay (Indian Express).
NCP MP Supriya Sule
Sources within the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) revealed his discontentment regarding the delayed appointment of district guardian ministers. Pawar had specifically advocated for the appointment of ministers like Chhagan Bhujbal (Nashik), Hasan Mushrif (Kolhapur), Dhananjay Munde (Beed), and Aditi Tatkare (Raigad) as district guardian ministers, a matter that remains pending.
“It has just been three months since the triple engine government came to power…and I have heard that one faction is upset,” NCP MP Supriya Sule said.
“I heard that the faction which is upset met Fadnavis and conveyed their resentment to him. In three months, the honeymoon is not yet over, and already problems have started cropping up. In just three months, such news is surfacing…Who is running the government?” she asked.
These developments have intensified speculation and raised questions about the unity and leadership within the Maharashtra government, just three months after the formation of the triple engine government.
Ajit Pawar Takes Charge as Pune Guardian Minister, Ousting BJP’s Chandrakant Patil
In a significant reshuffle, NCP leader Ajit Pawar has been appointed as the guardian minister of Pune, his home district, replacing senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil. This change was part of a revised list issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, where Patil was reassigned to oversee Solapur and Amravati districts.
Additionally, NCP ministers Dilip Walse Patil, Hasan Mushrif, and Dhananjay Munde have been assigned as guardian ministers for Buldhana, Kolhapur, and Beed districts, respectively. The responsibilities for Parbhani, Gondia, and Nandurbar districts have been entrusted to cabinet colleagues Sanjay Bandsode, Dhrmarao Baba Atram, and Anil Patil, who are also affiliated with the Ajit Pawar camp.
This reshuffling follows earlier speculations of unrest within the triple engine government, with Ajit Pawar expressing dissatisfaction over the non-appointment of his faction leaders as guardian ministers.