Ajit Pawar aide Anna Bansode appointed deputy speaker of Maharashtra assembly

Priyanka Kakodkar / TNN / Updated: Mar 26, 2025, 11:48 IST

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NCP MLA Anna Bansode, a close associate of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, was appointed Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly unopposed. Bansode, who has a history of support for Pawar, moved from running a paan shop to serving as a three-term corporator and MLA. His appointment is seen as a move to placate him after being excluded from ministerial posts.

Ajit Pawar aide Anna Bansode appointed deputy speaker of Maharashtra assembly

MUMBAI: NCP MLA from Pimpri Anna Bansode, a close aide of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar was declared Deputy Speaker of the state assembly on Wednesday. His candidature was unopposed.Bansode had field his nomination on Tuesday in the presence of both Pawar and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Opposition did not field a candidate.

Bansode who once ran a small paan shop, then served as a corporator for three terms. He later contested assembly polls and is a 3-term MLA from Pimpri. Bansode had supported Pawar during his 2019 rebellion when he formed an 80 hour government with the BJP.However, he was not made a minister when Pawar joined the Mahayuti government. The deputy speaker’s post in the state assembly is seen as a move to placate him.Key highlights:

Anna Bansode, a close aide of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, was declared Deputy Speaker of the state assembly on Wednesday, with no opposition to his candidature.
Bansode filed his nomination on Tuesday, supported by both Ajit Pawar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, ensuring a smooth path to his new role.
The Opposition chose not to field a candidate against Bansode, allowing him to secure the Deputy Speaker position unopposed.
Bansode's political journey includes running a paan shop, serving as a corporator for three terms, and being a three-term MLA from Pimpri, with his new role seen as a move to placate him after not being made a minister.

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