Mahayuti partners ‘rigid’ on Nashik guardian minister post

Nashik: The three partners of Mahayuti continue to maintain a "rigid" stand over the Nashik guardian minister post, said sources in the alliance.
A state cabinet minister, who did not wish to be identified, told TOI that informal parleys are on between chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the two deputy CMs, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, to end the deadlock on this matter.
"However, so far, the talks have not yielded any positive outcome since all three feel that the post must go to their respective parties.The sooner the deadlock is resolved it would be beneficial for Nashik," said the minister.
The post of Nashik guardian minister assumes significance not only since Nashik is the most important district in north Maharashtra economically, but also because Nashik will be hosting the Kumbh Mela in 2027. The guardian minister would be playing a pivotal role in the planning and implementation of infrastructure-related projects worth over Rs 7,000 crore.
Last month, state govt had announced BJP cabinet minister Girish Mahajan would be the Nashik guardian minister, but later withdrew the decision, apparently due to opposition from Shiv Sena and NCP.
Shinde's contention is that Shiv Sena cabinet minister Dada Bhuse's performance as Nashik guardian minister during the previous Mahayuti govt was ‘credible'; therefore, he should continue in that post.
"Bhuse is extremely close to Shinde and the latter is pushing the former to continue in that post," said a top Sena functionary recalling that during the previous Mahayuti govt, NCP had tried to replace Bhuse with NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal, but Shinde, who was the CM at that time, refused to oblige.
Bhuse refused to speak on the issue saying that the issue will be resolved amicably by the top brass of the alliance partners soon.
Mahayuti insiders said Pawar is keen on NCP getting the Nashik guardian minister post since the party has the highest number of MLAs in Nashik. Of the 15 assembly seats in Nashik, NCP had won seven followed by BJP (5) and Shiv Sena (2). The remaining seat was won by AIMIM.
NCP cabinet minister Narhari Zirwal said the talks are on among the Mahayuti brass to resolve the guardian minister issues of Raigad and Nashik. "My feedback is that the Raigad guardianship will be resolved first and then a call will be taken on Nashik guardian minister issue," Zirwal said.
BJP camp politicians are confident that Fadnavis would be able to convince the two deputy CMs to agree to Mahajan's appointment as Nashik's guardian minister. Mahajan is Fadnavis's trusted lieutenant.
"Fadnavis wants Mahajan to be the Nashik guardian minister since the latter had the experience to organise the previous edition of Kumbh Mela in 2015, when he was Nashik's guardian minister between 2014-19."
"Our party brass has reminded the two deputy CMs that unlike Sena and NCP, BJP has not given any of the five MLAs from Nashik ministership in this Mahayuti govt. Fadnavis's argument is that while NCP has two ministers and Sena one minister, both the alliance partners should allow BJP to get the post of the guardian minister in Nashik. We are confident that the CM will be able to convince the two deputy CMs about Mahajan's appointment," said a state BJP functionary.
Nashik: The three partners of Mahayuti continue to maintain a "rigid" stand over the Nashik guardian minister post, said sources in the alliance.
A state cabinet minister, who did not wish to be identified, told TOI that informal parleys are on between chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the two deputy CMs, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, to end the deadlock on this matter.
"However, so far, the talks have not yielded any positive outcome since all three feel that the post must go to their respective parties. The sooner the deadlock is resolved it would be beneficial for Nashik," said the minister.
The post of Nashik guardian minister assumes significance not only since Nashik is the most important district in north Maharashtra economically, but also because Nashik will be hosting the Kumbh Mela in 2027. The guardian minister would be playing a pivotal role in the planning and implementation of infrastructure-related projects worth over Rs 7,000 crore.
Last month, state govt had announced BJP cabinet minister Girish Mahajan would be the Nashik guardian minister, but later withdrew the decision, apparently due to opposition from Shiv Sena and NCP.
Shinde's contention is that Shiv Sena cabinet minister Dada Bhuse's performance as Nashik guardian minister during the previous Mahayuti govt was ‘credible'; therefore, he should continue in that post.
"Bhuse is extremely close to Shinde and the latter is pushing the former to continue in that post," said a top Sena functionary recalling that during the previous Mahayuti govt, NCP had tried to replace Bhuse with NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal, but Shinde, who was the CM at that time, refused to oblige.
Bhuse refused to speak on the issue saying that the issue will be resolved amicably by the top brass of the alliance partners soon.
Mahayuti insiders said Pawar is keen on NCP getting the Nashik guardian minister post since the party has the highest number of MLAs in Nashik. Of the 15 assembly seats in Nashik, NCP had won seven followed by BJP (5) and Shiv Sena (2). The remaining seat was won by AIMIM.
NCP cabinet minister Narhari Zirwal said the talks are on among the Mahayuti brass to resolve the guardian minister issues of Raigad and Nashik. "My feedback is that the Raigad guardianship will be resolved first and then a call will be taken on Nashik guardian minister issue," Zirwal said.
BJP camp politicians are confident that Fadnavis would be able to convince the two deputy CMs to agree to Mahajan's appointment as Nashik's guardian minister. Mahajan is Fadnavis's trusted lieutenant.
"Fadnavis wants Mahajan to be the Nashik guardian minister since the latter had the experience to organise the previous edition of Kumbh Mela in 2015, when he was Nashik's guardian minister between 2014-19."
"Our party brass has reminded the two deputy CMs that unlike Sena and NCP, BJP has not given any of the five MLAs from Nashik ministership in this Mahayuti govt. Fadnavis's argument is that while NCP has two ministers and Sena one minister, both the alliance partners should allow BJP to get the post of the guardian minister in Nashik. We are confident that the CM will be able to convince the two deputy CMs about Mahajan's appointment," said a state BJP functionary.