Priyanka Tiwari
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A fresh political storm has erupted in Maharashtra's Mahayuti government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has finally approved the appointments of Special Officers on Duty (OSD) and Personal Assistants (PA) for ministers—three months after the new government was sworn in. However, his decision to reject 16 names has sparked controversy and unrest in political circles.
Why Were These 16 Names Rejected?
CM Fadnavis clarified,
"Out of the 125 names proposed, 109 have been approved, but 16 were withheld. Some of these individuals are under investigation, have a questionable track record, or are known as middlemen."
Taking a firm stand, he added,
"I will not approve tainted individuals. I will not allow corrupt people to be appointed, no matter whose interests it affects."
Majority of Rejected Names from Shiv Sena and NCP?
Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that all the rejected names were suggested by non-BJP ministers. In his editorial in Saamana, Raut wrote,
"Fadnavis did the right thing, but out of the 16 rejected names, 13 belonged to Shiv Sena ministers, and 3 were from NCP."
Adding to the controversy, senior NCP leader Manikrao Kokate sarcastically remarked,
"Now even ministers cannot decide their own PAs and OSDs!"
Who Are OSD and PA? Why Are They Important?
Every minister is entitled to a 35-member staff, which includes:
- 1 Personal Assistant (PA)
- 3 Officers on Special Duty (OSD)
These appointments require approval from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and follow certain rules:
The candidate must be a government employee
Must hold a graduate degree
Must have a clean record
Should possess administrative experience & communication skills
Usually, mid-level officers such as Deputy Secretaries or Section Officers are chosen for these roles.
Why Is Fadnavis’ Decision Creating Political Tension?
The rejection of these 16 names has caused a rift, particularly with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction. While some ministers are unhappy, Fadnavis remains firm, stating:
"Strict rules have already been set for appointing PA and OSDs, and I am simply following them."
Power Struggles and Corruption Concerns
Officials say ministers whose recommendations were rejected cannot protest openly, as PAs and OSDs often gain significant influence over projects and policies.
Past incidents highlight the risks:
- In 2021, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s PA, Sanjeev Palande, was arrested on corruption charges.
- NCP MLA Amol Mitkari alleged that a PA had once demanded ₹5 lakh from him.
What’s the Mood Inside the Mahayuti Government?
A Shiv Sena minister, speaking anonymously, commented,
"We do not support corruption, but in a coalition government, if alliance partners start losing their authority, it is unfair."
However, a minister close to Fadnavis defended the decision, saying,
"Tough calls are needed for corruption-free governance, and that’s exactly what the CM has done. This rule applies to all parties, including the BJP."
With political tension rising, the battle over OSD and PA appointments is shaping up to be another power struggle within the Mahayuti government. Will Fadnavis' anti-corruption stance hold strong, or will political pressure force a compromise? Time will tell.
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