The raging controversy over the posts of district guardian ministers is escalating further, with Mahayuti partners exchanging barbs and raising questions. While the BJP said it was keen on Nashik, given the Kumbh Mela slated for 2027, the NCP raised some uncomfortable questions and the Shiv Sena UBT said it was with an eye over the huge budget for it.
It all began when the state BJP chief and the revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that the BJP was keen on the district guardianship of Nashik as the city will be hosting the Kumbha Mela. Reacting to it, NCP minister Manikrao Kokate asked what a minister was supposed to do for the Kumbh Mela when the administration does the job of organising it.
Kokate was one of the aspirants for the job when the Shiv Sena wanted it for its minister Dada Bhuse.
The row escalated when the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that the quarrel for the guardianship was with an eye over organising the Kumbh Mela. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, posted on ‘X’ saying, “The cause of the riot over the district guardian ministership for Nashik seems to be the Kumbh Mela. It has a budget over Rs10,000 crore and the authority the district guardian minister enjoys in the process of organising it could be the reason for several aspirants”.
The NCP ministers are said to be unhappy as barring Ajit Pawar none of them have got the guardianship of their home district. While Pawar has been given the charge for Pune and Beed, the other ministers from his party have got districts far away from their constituencies. On the other hand, the BJP and the Shiv Sena have ensured seven of its ministers are in charge of their home districts.
Meanwhile, NCP leader Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole have taken a strong stand against the ruling parties over the ongoing disputes. “The guardian minister’s post is meant to serve citizens, not for personal gains or disputes. This is not your household matter; you were elected to work for the people,” Sule remarked.
Nana Patole echoed these concerns, calling the disputes a result of greed for power. He noted the initial disagreements over the CM’s position, followed by conflicts during cabinet expansion and portfolio allocation, have now escalated into disputes over guardian minister roles.
