BJP to appoint communication chiefs to keep Sena-NCP guardian ministers in check

Sampark pramukhs will bridge the gap between citizens and govt, ensuring election promises CHANDRASHEKHAR BAWANKULE, state BJP chief

- Surendra P Gangan

MUMBAI: After the tussle over the guardian ministership of two districts led to a stay on appointments, the BJP has announced that it will appoint its senior leaders as sampark pramukhs (communication chiefs) in the 16 districts where the guardian ministers are from the NCP and Shiv Sena.

The appointments are reportedly to ensure better coordination with the government and ensure that the guardian ministers do not suppress the BJP in that district.

In the recent appointments by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, 20 BJP ministers were appointed as guardian ministers in 21 districts. The Shiv Sena has nine guardian ministers while the NCP has seven. The decision to appoint sampark pramukhs comes close on the heels of the government's decision to appoint BJP and RSS workers as personal assistants in the offices of ministers from the BJP.