Maharashtra’s Legislative Committee divisions were announced on Tuesday, with 11 BJP MLAs appointed to various committees. The allocation of committees for Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party remains pending.
These appointments were made under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and key BJP figures, including Cabinet Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and state working president Ravindra Chavan.
The appointed BJP MLAs and their respective committees include:
- Public Enterprises Committee: Rahul Kul
- Panchayati Raj Committee: Santosh Danve-Patil
- Assurance Committee: Ravi Rana
- Scheduled Caste Welfare Committee: Narayan Kuche
- Scheduled Tribe Welfare Committee: Rajesh Padvi
- Women’s Rights and Welfare Committee: Monica Rajale
- Other Backward Classes Welfare Committee: Kisan Kathore
- Marathi Language Committee: Atul Bhatkhalkar
- Special Rights Committee: Ram Kadam
- Dharmaday Private Hospital Investigation Committee: Namita Mundada
- MLA Residence Arrangements Committee: Sachin Kalyanshetti
This strategic move is perceived as a chance for BJP MLAs to regain political footing after losing ministerial roles. Meanwhile, coalition partners like Shiv Sena and NCP are still awaiting their appointments.
Chandrashekhar Bawankule assured that all Mahayuti allies would receive representation in the legislative committees, stating, “There will be a fair distribution of power among us, and no tug-of-war exists between us.”
The BJP has secured 11 of the 29 legislative committees, while both Shiv Sena and NCP are left with nine committees each. The Speaker has urged Shiv Sena and NCP to submit their nominations, but they have yet to respond and appeared uninformed about the BJP’s recent announcements.
This development occurs amid ongoing speculation regarding tensions within the Mahayuti alliance, encompassing the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction. Reports suggest a growing divide between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, who has been absent from meetings organized by Fadnavis.
Additionally, the establishment of parallel medical assistance desks in the state secretariat highlights the intensifying competition for power. The rift has particularly escalated over the unresolved dispute regarding guardian minister posts for Raigad and Nashik.
