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With ministers from the Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP in the same district, competition and disputes seem inevitable
The “slow and steady” approach that the alliance used in the recent cabinet expansion is likely to guide their decision on guardian ministers. (PTI)
The newly formed Maharashtra government completed its cabinet portfolio allocation on Saturday. However, while celebrations followed the announcement, the challenges are far from over.
One of the pressing issues now is the appointment of guardian ministers for various districts, a move that could spark conflict within the Mahayuti.
Several districts have multiple ministers, with three to four representatives from different alliance parties. If all these ministers belonged to the same party, the decision over guardian minister appointments would have been simpler. However, with ministers from different parties in the same district, competition and disputes seem inevitable.
In Nashik, BJP’s Girish Mahajan, Shiv Sena’s Dada Bhuse, and NCP’s Narhari Zirwal and Manikrao Kokate are contenders for the position. Agriculture minister Kokate has staked his claim, stating that the NCP has the majority of MLAs in the district, and thus the guardian minister should come from their party. However, this has set the stage for internal competition.
Similarly, in Raigad, NCP’s Aditi Tatkare and Shiv Sena’s Bharat Gogawale are in a race for the position. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Shirsat and BJP’s Atul Save are both asserting their claim.
The competition is equally intense in Pune. Ajit Pawar’s entry into the Mahayuti government was marked by a strong push for the district’s guardian minister post. Pune has witnessed significant political shifts whenever the guardian minister changes, making this decision crucial.
BJP leader Chandrakant Patil said the selection is often based on experience, not just the number of MLAs from a party. Ajit Pawar previously served as Pune’s guardian minister, taking over from Chandrakant Patil. Both names are likely to be in contention this time as well. In addition, smaller districts like Satara also have multiple ministers, adding complexity to the decision-making process.
Potential Conflicts Across Districts
• Thane: Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) vs Ganesh Naik (BJP)
• Jalgaon: Gulabrao Patil (Shiv Sena) vs Sanjay Savkare (BJP)
• Beed: Pankaja Munde (BJP) vs Dhananjay Munde (NCP)
• Yavatmal: Ashok Uike (BJP), Sanjay Rathod (Shiv Sena), and Indranil Naik (NCP)
• Satara: Shambhuraj Desai (Shiv Sena), Shivendra Raje Bhosale (BJP), Jaykumar Gore (BJP), and Makrand Patil (NCP)
• Kolhapur: Hasan Mushrif (NCP) vs Prakash Abitkar (Shiv Sena)
Despite these challenges, some districts are likely to see smoother appointments due to fewer ministers or a lack of significant competition.
The Mahayuti alliance is expected to handle these internal conflicts with care, ensuring they don’t spill into public view. The alliance’s strategy of patience and coordination has already been evident in the recent cabinet expansion. The same “slow and steady” approach is likely to guide their decision. By prioritising strategic consensus, the alliance aims to maintain its unity and focus on governance.
