Ram Shinde to file nomination for Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairperson post
The Hindu
Ram Shinde set to become Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairperson, addressing Dhangar community's ST reservation demand.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MLC Ram Shinde is poised to become the new Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Mr. Shinde, who belongs to Dhangar community, hails from Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar). In a post on social media platform X, Mr. Shinde confirmed the development, stating that he would file his nomination on Wednesday (December 18, 2024).
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J.P. Nadda, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and all leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Mahayuti alliance for their “support and trust”.
His appointment is viewed as a strategic move by the BJP to address the Dhangar community’s longstanding demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) reservation list. Presently classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, the Dhangar community forms a significant part of the BJP’s vote bank.
Mr. Shinde’s political journey includes being elected as an MLA from Karjat Jamkhed in 2014. However, he lost the seat to Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) leader and Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew Rohit Pawar, in 2019. Subsequently, he was nominated as an MLC but faced another defeat in this year’s Assembly election from the same constituency.
The Chairperson’s post has been vacant since the term of Ramraje Nimbalkar ended in 2022. Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe has been serving as the Acting Chairperson since then. With Mr. Shinde’s appointment, the BJP will hold both key legislative positions in the State, as the Assembly Speaker’s post is currently held by Colaba MLA Rahul Narwekar.
Eight TSPC Maoists arrested in Hazaribag, Jharkhand, with weapons and ammunition seized during a police operation.
Four ambulances of a Jewish community service in London were set ablaze in a suspected antisemitic hate crime.
Gautham Manohar hopes his photographs serve as reminders of the Earth’s delicate beauty
Thousand Lights faces parking chaos and traffic congestion despite its political significance and ongoing development efforts.
Generic semaglutide increases accessibility, but doctors caution against misuse and quality concerns
Haryana Police removes 857 links to Badshah's 'Tateeree' for objectionable content, ensuring a safer digital environment.
Congress criticises Modi for not leveraging the upcoming BRICS+ Summit to address the West Asia crisis amid U.S. tensions.
Nagapattinam faces underdevelopment and resource challenges, impacting its rich heritage and the livelihoods of its fishing community.
One of the best games of 2025 makes it over to the PC, with a harder mode and bristling with new graphic tech
Air Force employee arrested for espionage, allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani handlers since 2023 for money.
Four killed and several injured in a Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway crash; driver arrested for alleged negligence.
Four injured in SUV collision with a stranded goods carrier on Narsingi ORR, causing significant traffic congestion.
Parliament Budget Session LIVE: Follow The Hindu's latest updates on the Parliament Budget Session on March 23, 2026.