Mumbai: Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis is 'super CM', says Nana Patole

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On Thursday, the Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole stated that Deputy Chief Minster Devendra Fadnavis is the "super CM" of Maharashtra. Patole cited the Maharashtra government's recent move to route files to the CM through the senior BJP leader.

Nana Patole was responding to questions about a note by Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik directing all departments to move files through Deputy CM Fadnavis, after Ajit Pawar, before going for clearance from CM Eknath Shinde.

NCP leader and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar broke away from the Sharad Pawar-founded Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in July and joined the ruling coalition of the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Patole, said, "We have seen Ajit Pawar's 'dadagiri'. Shiv Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde toppled the MVA government accusing Ajit Pawar (of high-handedness) and now he has joined them in government."

Earlier in the MVA government, Ajit Pawar held the finance portfolio. The MVA government fell last year in June after a rebellion by Eknath Shinde split the Sena. Shinde then tied up with the BJP to become CM.

Ajit Pawar and eight senior NCP leaders took oath as ministers last month. In the present government too, Ajit Pawar holds the finance portfolio.

(with inputs from PTI)