Mumbai
A new government has been formed in Maharashtra and work is going on after the division of ministries, but a new topic of discord has arisen in the Mahayuti. The Devendra Fadnavis-led government had issued an order to appoint ministers in-charge in Nashik and Raigad districts, which has now been put on hold. There was huge dissatisfaction among Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde against this decision and Shiv Sainiks also protested at many places. In such a situation, the government put a stay on the decision late at night. Shiv Sena says that transparency and equality should be maintained in the selection of the minister in-charge. This controversy is taking place because NCP leader Aditi Tatkare has been made the minister in-charge of Raigarh, while BJP leader Girish Mahajan has got the responsibility of Nashik.
In Maharashtra, the minister in charge is called Guardian Minister. The Guardian Minister has a stake in the meetings related to the development plans of the district and is a virtual observer of all matters. In such a situation, it has great importance and there is a tussle between the parties regarding the post of minister in-charge. As soon as information was received on Sunday that the post of minister in-charge has gone to BJP and NCP, Shiv Sainiks got enraged. Shiv Sena expected that Bharat Gogawale would be made the minister in-charge of Raigad, while Dada Bhuse would get the command of Nashik. But this did not happen and this was seen as Shiv Sainiks ignoring themselves due to the alliance between NCP and BJP.
Local leaders of Shiv Sena say that local equations have been ignored by giving the post of Guardian Minister to some other party. The effect of this was that the state government immediately called a meeting and put a stay on the appointment of the Guardian Minister. Now government sources say that a meeting will be held with Shiv Sena also and any decision will be taken only with consensus. Shiv Sainiks clearly said that this decision will stop the pace of development in the area. Apart from this, dissatisfaction will arise at the local level also. In fact, Eknath Shinde considers his support base in both these districts. In such a situation, there is resentment in the party due to NCP and BJP leaders being made in-charge here.
