Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and former minister, Ram Shinde was unanimously elected as the new Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Thursday. The post was vacant since July 7, 2022, after the end of the term of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar. Deputy Chairman of the Council Neelam Gorhe, who was presiding over the House after the end of Nimbalkar’s term, officially announced Shinde’s election in the Upper House on the very first hour of the fourth day of the Winter Session. Shinde is a first-time member of the Legislative Council and he was the only member who filed nomination for the position of the Chairman on Wednesday.

 

However, no other member from Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) filed nomination for the election. Therefore, Shinde was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Upper House. The resolution for Shinde’s chairmanship was proposed by BJP’s Shrikant Bhartiya and seconded by Shiv Sena’s Manisha Kayande, Amol Mitkari of NCP, and Dnyaneshwar Mhatre of BJP. Shinde, a college professor, represented Karjat-Jamkhed Assembly constituency from 2009-2014 and again, in 2014-2019 as MLA. In previous Fadnavis Government during 2014-2016, Shinde served as the State Minister in various ministries like Home, Agriculture, Health and Tourism. Thereafter, in 2016-2019, he served as a Cabinet Minister in various ministries. However, Shinde lost the Karjat Jamkhed Assembly seat in the 2019 and 2024 elections to Rohit Pawar of the NCP (SP). Shinde is the second politician from Ahilyanagar to hold this post. BJP MLC N S Pharande, now deceased, was the Chairman of the Upper House between 1998 and 2004. Shinde also worked with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the CM’s revolutionary ‘Jalyukta Shivar’ Project.

 

While talking about Shinde’s contribution in public service and politics in the Upper House on Thursday, CM Fadnavis said, “I got chance to work with Shinde on many projects. He started his political career from the grassroot and his tenure as a Cabinet Minister in previous Government was remarkable.” Fadnavis expressed gratitude to the House for the unanimous decision, saying, “This year marks the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyadevi, and Ram Shinde is from the ninth generation of Ahilyadevi’s father’s family. In a way, we have paid a perfect tribute to her.”

 

“Now, on his new responsibility, I believe that Shinde will justify the chairmanship in the Upper House with his dedication and hard work,” said Fadnavis. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on a lighter note, said, “We both are Shinde and our dedication reflects in our work. I believe Shinde will strongly maintain the respect of the Legislative Council during his tenure.” Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also congratulated Ram Shinde and thanked Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Ambadas Danve for supporting Shinde for Chairmanship during the election. Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe also wished Shinde success in his new role, stating, “I will continue to work for the society.”