CM Fadnavis Blocks Appointment of 16 OSDs, PAs Amid Rift Rumors in Mahayuti

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has refused to approve the appointment of 16 Officers on Special Duty (OSD) and personal assistants (PAs) recommended by Cabinet ministers. The move comes amid growing speculation of a rift within the ruling Mahayuti coalition.

Addressing the media in Nagpur on Monday, Fadnavis clarified that out of 125 names proposed for OSD and PA positions, 109 had been approved, while the remaining 16 were rejected due to ongoing investigations or concerns about their reputation.

“I will not allow individuals with a questionable background or those known as 'fixers' to be associated with my ministers,” Fadnavis asserted.

Reacting to the decision, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut lauded Fadnavis for taking a firm stand. He alleged that all 16 rejected individuals were "fixers and middlemen" and urged the chief secretary to publicly disclose their names. “As per my information, 13 of them belong to the Shinde faction, while three are from Ajit Pawar’s party,” Raut claimed.

The controversy erupted after NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader and minister Manikrao Kokate hinted at interference in appointments. Speaking at an event, Kokate suggested that the selection of PAs and OSDs was now being controlled by the Chief Minister. He cautioned officials, saying, “If the work of the department is not done properly, you will be sent home because even we have no control over these decisions.”
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