Mumbai: After the allocation of cabinet portfolios, a tug-of-war has started among Maharashtra ministers over the post of ‘guardian minister’ of the districts. Shiv Sena cabinet minister Bharat Gogawa has staked his claim in Raigad district, while Sanjay Shirasat Chhatrapati wants to be the guardian minister of Sambhaji Nagar. Ajit Pawar-led NCP has control in Raigad district, while BJP is unwilling to relinquish its claim in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.
There are at least 11 districts, where two-three regions of Mahayuti have claimed. In Maharashtra, a cabinet minister is made the ‘guardian minister’ of a particular district, which means he is responsible for the overall development and implementation of government schemes in the district. He/she is also the ex-officio chairman of the District Planning Committee (DPC), which is responsible for issues of common interest between panchayats (local government bodies) and municipalities such as infrastructure development, resource allocation and environmental protection. It controls government spending in the district, making the seat important to all parties.
A week ago, 39 MLAs took the oath of office and secrecy. Then, after many discussions between the three parties BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, the ministry was allotted to them only on Saturday.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has retained the home portfolio, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has three portfolios including key portfolios like urban development and housing, while another DCM, Ajit Pawar, holds the finance portfolio.
After the portfolios were announced, the Shiv Sena cabinet ministers openly demanded the guardian minister of the districts of their choice. Gogawale, who has become the minister of horticulture and salt pan land development, said that he should be made the guardian minister of Raigad district. However, as Aditya Tatkare, daughter of Ajit Pawar-led NCP’s Sunil Tatkare, is also a strong contender here, it is not easy for Gogawale to get the job.
After visiting Sri Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, Mr. Gogawales said he sought blessings from Lord Ganesha. “I have prayed for the guardian minister of Raigad district. I am hopeful to get it,’ he said.
It is noteworthy that Aditi Tatkare was the guardian minister of Raigad during the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government. After the collapse of the MVA government, Udaya Samanta became the guardian minister of Raigad district and Sindhudurg district in the Mahayutia government led by Eknath Sinde.
NCP leader and Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate also said that the NCP has a natural claim on Nashik’s parent minister post as his party has the largest number of MLAs from there. “As there are seven MLAs from here, I request that the parent minister from Nashik be kept with us,” said Mr. Kokate.
Tug-of-wars were also reported in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Kolhapur and Pune districts. While Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will not give up his claim in Pune, senior BJP Cabinet Minister Chandrakant Patil is also looking forward to it. A BJP insider said that a guardian minister for cities like Pune is important as the corporation elections are likely to be held in the first half of 2025. That is why Mr. Patil is pushing for the Guardian Minister of Pune district.
Shiv Sena cabinet minister Sanjay Shirasat said that his party will remain the guardian minister of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and will be the next guardian minister. Interestingly, BJP minister Atul Save is also contesting for the post.
The Shiv Sena also wants to retain its dominance in Thane district, while the BJP wants its minister Ganesh Naik to be the guardian minister. Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai wants to become the guardian minister of Satara, where leaders of two other parties have also joined the race. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s descendant BJP Cabinet Minister Shivendra Raje Bhos is hoping to get the seat in Satara while NCP is also running for it. However, Mr. Desai said that there was no competition for the post of Satara’s guardian minister. He said, ‘There is no conflict in Mahayuti.