Anna Bansode, known to rarely deliver speeches, set to become Deputy Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly

On Tuesday, Bansode, accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his party chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, filed his nomination paper for the post of Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. BJP leader Chandrakant Patil and Shiv Sena’s Uday Samant were also present. He was the only candidate who filed his nomination on Tuesday, which means he will be elected unopposed, NCP sources said. Wednesday is the last day of withdrawal of nomination.

NCP sources said Mahayuti leaders had decided to nominate a reserved category candidate for the post. “Mahayuti leaders had unanimously decided to give the NCP an opportunity to nominate its candidate… Bansode was the only strong choice before us,” said NCP spokesperson Sanjay Tatkare.

NCP leaders said Bansode was picked by the party for his proximity and loyalty to Ajit Pawar. “When Ajit Pawar staged the rebellion after the Assembly poll results in 2019 and joined hands with the BJP, Bansode was the only MLA who remained with him till the end. All other MLAs returned to Sharad Pawar’s side. Therefore, Ajit Pawar first gave him a ticket for the Assembly seat and now has made him the Deputy Speaker,” an NCP leader said.

In the 2024 Assembly elections, there was strong opposition to the nomination of Bansode from Pimpri reserved constituency. The opponents included his own party members and those from the BJP and Shiv Sena, the NCP’s alliance partners. Luckily, for Bansode, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) fielded a “weaker candidate”, which helped Bansode win with a comfortable margin.

The nomination of Bansode for the Deputy Speaker post has drawn mixed reaction from people, political leaders and activists in Pimpri-Chinchwad, which never had a leader from the city occupy such a significant post. Bansode is known as someone who rarely delivers speeches at public functions or political rallies.

“As the Deputy Speaker, he is supposed to run the House smoothly whenever the Speaker is not in Chair. He is required to be well-versed with rules and regulations of running the House. He is also supposed to be articulate and well-informed. But Bansode does not have the qualification, skill or knowledge… neither is he adept at delivering speeches. It will be a big challenge for him to run the House,” political analyst Avinash Chilekar said.

Former NCP corporator Shyam Lande said, “I don’t remember having seen Anna deliver speeches at public rallies or even during elections. But it’s a big opportunity for him to become the Deputy Speaker.”

“Mahayuti leaders have taken the right decision and we welcome it. We are proud that an MLA who comes from an ordinary background has risen to occupy one of the top posts of our state legislature,” BJP leader Raju Durge said.

Durge said though it’s true that Bansode rarely speaks at public events or political rallies, “but what I noticed about him is his connection with the masses. Be it with slum-dwellers or people living in chawls, he connects with them. He regularly interacts and mingles with them which is why they call him ‘aplaa manoos’ (our leader)”. According to Durge, “the paan shop is still there in Chinchwad and I think his family runs it”.

Jayshree Marale, a former PCMC school principal, said, “When my family had invited Bansode to our grand-daughter’s wedding recently, the MLA had turned up despite his busy schedule. He is simple and has no airs.”

Former BJP corporator Seema Savale, who had decided to challenge Bansode from Pimpri seat in last year’s election but later dropped out, said, “Bansode has had luck going in favour of him all the time. He had little chance of contesting the 2024 elections in the face of severe opposition from his own party leaders. Even among the voters, there was anger against him as he had failed to ensure development of the Pimpri reserved constituency. However, one should remember that those leaders from Pimpri-Chinchwad who were confident about getting ministerial posts have been left behind by Bansode.”

His arch rival, Gautam Chabukswar, who defeated Bansode in the 2014 elections, said, “The nomination of Pimpri MLA as Deputy Speaker augurs well for the city. Bansode should use his post to resolve the grievances of the people of Maharashtra as well as his constituency.”

Chabukswar, who is the president of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s district unit, said, “Since his party has shown confidence in Bansode, he should rise to the party’s expectations and prove his mettle.