Maharashtra: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar had the most visitors on Day 1 of taking charge

Maharashtra has seen a tumultuous past few months politically with Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Congress party forming an unusual coalition in the state, pipping the BJP in the process. Top leaders from all three coalition parties are now part of the cabinet following the oath-taking ceremony on December 30. 

However, the ministers’ first day at charge was on Monday the 6th of January. Several ex-ministers and leaders, including deputy CM Ajit Pawar, entered Mantralaya on Monday with the NCP leader reportedly seeing the highest number of visitors on Day 1 of his post.

Pawar was followed by veteran Congress leader and Food and Civil Supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP), as well as Ashok Chavan (Congress) who is the Public Works minister. The Deputy CM has been reportedly allocated finance and planning as well. This is a return to Mantralaya after five years for leaders like Pawar and Bhujbal who were part of the cabinet during the NCP-Congress coalition government in Maharashtra. 

Bhujbal reportedly held discussions with top officials from the civil and food supplies department to discuss the government’s new plan to offer thalis or meals at Rs 10. Bhujbal mentioned that the government is committed to starting off this project on January 26 at designated places.