Who's The Real Boss?

The Maharashtra deputy chief minister’s assertiveness has raised eyebrows

- Kiran D. Tare

Soon after assuming office as Maharashtra deputy chief minister on December 30, 2019, Ajit Pawar demanded that his allotted office in Mantralaya be changed. The cabin he had been assigned, #602, is considered ‘inauspicious’. Three former occupants—Eknath Khadse, Pandurang Fundkar and Anil Bonde—have suffered political setbacks as incumbents. (However, Pawar brushed aside the suggestion that he was being superstitious, saying, “I chose another cabin [to be closer] to the chief secretary’s—if the chief minister calls a meeting, it’ll be more convenient for me to attend.”)