India: Devendra Fadnavis Led Govt in Maharashtra Gives minister's status to Siddhivinayak Temple Trust Chief

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Devendra Fadnavis Gives Siddhivinayak Temple Trust Chief MoS Status
Junior minister's status in Maharashtra cabinet for chairman of Siddhivinayak temple trust chief, who is a Shiv Sena leader and a TV show host
Mumbai | Edited by Debjani Chatterjee (with inputs from ANI) | Updated: June 19, 2018

Highlights

Shiv Sena leader Aadesh Bandekar will now enjoy the facilities of MoS
Mr Bandekar said that he won't take any allowance
The move is being seen as BJP's bid to woo the Shiv Sena

In what could be the last cabinet reshuffle before the Assembly elections next year, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has given the chief of Siddhivinayak temple trust a junior minister's status. Aadesh Bandekar, a Shiv Sena leader and popular Marathi TV show host, will now enjoy the facilities of Minister of State (MoS) in the Maharashtra cabinet.

"I won't take any allowance; I just want to serve the people. The status of MoS has not been given to a man, it has been given to the position (Chairman of Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple) in which I am right now," Aadesh Bandekar told news agency ANI.

The elevation of Mr Bandekar is being seen by the opposition as the BJP's bid to woo the Shiv Sena, as he is considered close to party chief Uddhav Thackeray, say sources. [ . . .]

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