Maharashtra guardian minister controversy: NCP’s Ajit Pawar says Nashik and Raigad issue will be resolved slowly

The appointment of guardian ministers for Maharshtra’s Nashik and Raigad—Girish Mahajan of BJP and Aditi Tatkare of NCP— has been a bone of contention between the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the BJP. 

In a bout of fresh controversy, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar commented that the issue with the guardian minister post of Nashik and Raigad has not been resolved and will be solved slowly. 

He also said despite the issue with the guardian minister post the works in the districts have been going on. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had personally taken care of the budget for the district planning as well. 

Regarding the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the residence of NCP MP Sunil Tatkare for lunch on Saturday, he said he had requested Shah to come to his residence if he is in Mumbai and if he is in Raigad, he should visit Tatkare. 

The appointment of Mahajan and Tatkare as the guardian ministers had been stayed following instructions from CM Devendra Fadnavis.  

The role of a guardian minister is of much importance as they get to control the District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC), which controls all the development works. Funds for public works are channelled through DPDC, and so, the guardian minister gets to lead the district by controlling welfare programmes and development works.

India