Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator from Pimpri Assembly constituency, Anna Bansode has been unanimously elected as the deputy speaker of the Assembly. Only one application from the Mahayuti was submitted for Bansode’s candidature for the post. On Tuesday afternoon, the application was found to be valid. The speaker is expected to announce the appointment of Bansode as his deputy on Wednesday. The NCP had also shortlisted the name of party legislator Rajkumar Badola from Chimur district for the post of deputy speaker, but finally zeroed in on Bansode.
Bansode was first elected as an MLA in 2009 and then won consecutive terms in 2014 and 2019. After the split in the NCP, he remained with Ajit Pawar, and in the 2024 Assembly elections, he was re-elected.
Bansode, who could not get the ministerial berth, has been picked by DCM Ajit Pawar personally. Bansode will enjoy ministerial status. As a part of understanding among the MahaYuti partners, the BJP and Shiv Sena gave the deputy speaker's post to the NCP.
