Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has rewarded two of his staunch supporters, MLA Sanjay Shirsat and former MP Hemant Patil, with brief ministerial stints in key roles ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. Both leaders, who had defected from Uddhav Thackeray’s camp to join the Mahayuti alliance, will now hold ministerial-ranked positions in different government bodies.
Sanjay Shirsat Appointed Chairman of CIDCO
Sanjay Shirsat, who currently serves as the party spokesperson, has been appointed as the chairman of the City & Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). The chairmanship of CIDCO carries the rank of a minister, offering Shirsat a brief tenure with ministerial status. Despite being a prominent figure in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Shirsat was previously denied a cabinet berth due to the district already being represented by two ministers, Atul Save and Abdul Sattar.
Hemant Patil Heads Turmeric Research Centre
Former MP Hemant Patil, who represented the Hingoli Lok Sabha constituency but was denied a party ticket for the 2024 general elections, has been named chairman of the Balasaheb Thackeray Haridra (Turmeric) Research and Training Centre (HBTHRATC). This institution falls under the state department of agriculture and is a classified government company. Patil’s new role also carries the rank of a minister, providing him with a short-lived but significant position in the government.
A Strategic Move Before Elections
These appointments come at a crucial time, just weeks before the state assembly elections scheduled for November. The election schedule is expected to be announced in the first week of October. An official from Mantralaya indicated that Shirsat and Patil’s new ministerial statuses would last for only 20-25 days. Once the election code of conduct comes into force following the schedule announcement, these positions will become symbolic and lose their practical significance.
Both Shirsat and Patil are likely to contest the upcoming assembly elections, representing the Marathwada region, where the Shinde faction is actively seeking to consolidate its influence. Their appointments are seen as part of a strategic effort to bolster the party’s standing in the region, ensuring that the Shinde group remains a formidable force in the upcoming electoral battle.
