In a significant political reshuffle, the Maharashtra government has announced new Guardian Ministers for 11 districts, a move that accommodates seven out of nine rebel NCP lawmakers. The role of Guardian Ministers is to provide personal attention and support to districts, working closely with district collectors and officials to address local needs and promote growth.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has assumed the role of Guardian Minister for Pune, taking over from senior BJP leader and cabinet minister Chandrakant Patil. Chandrakant Patil has been reassigned to oversee Solapur and Amravati districts.
The delay in announcing the Guardian Ministers was due to shifting political dynamics in the state. The latest change came in July when Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government, altering the political landscape. As a result, there are now seven NCP lawmakers entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing different regions.
Apart from Ajit Pawar, NCP ministers Dilip Walse Patil, Hasan Mushrif, and Dhananjay Munde will serve as Guardian Ministers for Buldhana, Kolhapur, and Beed districts, respectively. Their cabinet colleagues Sanjay Bandsode, Dhrmarao Baba Atram, and Anil Patil, who also belong to the Ajit Pawar camp, have been assigned the role of Guardian Ministers for Parbhani, Gondia, and Nandurbar districts, respectively.
Additionally, three senior BJP leaders, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vijay Kumar Gavit, and Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, have taken over the role of Guardian Ministers, replacing Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. They will now oversee Wardha, Bhandara, and Akola districts, respectively.
Here is the full list of Guardian Ministers and their respective districts:
- Pune – Ajit Pawar
- Akola – Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil
- Solapur – Chandrakant Patil
- Amravati – Chandrakant Patil
- Bhandara – Vijaykumar Gavit
- Buldhana – Dilip Walse Patil
- Kolhapur – Hasan Mushrif
- Gondia – Dharmaraobaba AtramBeed – Dhananjay Munde
This reshuffle aims to ensure effective district administration and address local concerns with the involvement of experienced ministers overseeing each region. It also reflects the evolving political landscape in Maharashtra, with key leaders taking on new responsibilities.
