BJP to retain Nashik guardian minister post

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided not to cede the Nashik guardian minister's post to the Shiv Sena, adding to a string of setbacks for Sena chief and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.

- Faisal Malik

MUMBAI: The BJP is assigning the post to water resources minister Girish Mahajan to keep the reins of the Kumbh Mela, to be held in Nashik in 2027, with the party.

The deadlock over the Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) over the Raigad guardian minister's post continues.

Senior BJP leaders said the leadership is firm on their decision. "The leadership has already cleared Mahajan's name to handle the preparations of the Kumbh Mela as he had led the preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik in 2015," said a party leader.

The BJP's stand became evident on Wednesday, when chief minister Devendra Fadnavis held a review meeting for the Kumbh preparations. Mahajan was the only minister at the meeting, where it was decided that an independent authority would be set up for the religious event.