Anna Bansode: Maharashtra's New Deputy Speaker Elected Unopposed

NCP legislator Anna Bansode was elected as the deputy speaker of the Maharashtra legislative assembly on Wednesday. Bansode, a close aide of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, was elected unopposed after being nominated by Pawar and seconded by BJP minister Chandrakant Patil. The motion passed with a voice vote.

Anna Bansode, representing the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), took office as the deputy speaker of Maharashtra's legislative assembly on Wednesday, marking a significant political shift within the state's governance.

Bansode's election was facilitated by Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief, who moved the motion for her candidacy. This motion was subsequently seconded by BJP minister Chandrakant Patil, signaling cross-party support.

The unopposed election highlights Bansode's influence and political connections within the assembly, especially as a three-time MLA and a representative of the Scheduled Caste community from Pimpri, Pune. Her appointment was part of a voice vote session led by speaker Rahul Narwekar.

(With inputs from agencies.)