This former Shiv Sainik is now Devendra Fadnavis’ most trusted political aide

MUMBAI: The state cabinet's decision to allot a prime piece of land to the Mumbai District Cooperative Bank led by BJP's Pravin Darekar reflects his political clout in the Mahayuti govt led by Eknath Shinde. In the corridors of power, Darekar is considered as the most trusted aide of deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. For a long period, North Maharashtra leader and rural development minister Girish Mahajan was a trouble-shooter for Fadnavis when he was CM. In the new govt under the leadership of Shinde too, Mahajan continued to be Fadnavis' go-to man for some time, but in the recent past, Darekar took over that position for political reasons.

It was felt that compared to Mahajan, Darekar was sharper in his attack on Fadnavis's political rivals, both within BJP as well as in the MVA. When activist Manoj Jarange took on Fadnavis, saying the deputy CM had failed to provide reservation to Marathas, Darekar was the first among BJP leaders to launch a frontal attack against him.

Darekar (55) was initially associated with Shiv Sena. When Raj Thackeray quit Sena, Darekar too left and joined MNS. Darekar was first elected to the assembly in 2009 from Magathane. But he lost the assembly polls in 2014, following which he joined BJP under leadership of Fadnavis, who made him a member of the Upper House. During MVA rule, Darekar was elected as leader of opposition.

In June 2022, when Shinde was elected as CM and Fadnavis was made Dy CM, Darekar was assured he'd be inducted as a cabinet member or be made chairman of legislative council. But following Ajit Pawar's entry in govt, he cuold not be inducted. Fadnavis has been making efforts to accommodate his demands. To pacify Darekar, Fadnavis took the lead in allotment of land to Mumbai Bank.