Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is displeased with remarks made by his cabinet minister and alliance partner, Manikrao Kokate of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, regarding the appointment process of Officers on Special Duty (OSD) and Personal Secretaries (PS) for ministers in the Mahayuti government.

During a public address, Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate claimed that ministers do not have the authority to select their own staff. “The CM clears the appointment of the OSD and PS,” he stated. Kokate’s statement did not sit well with Fadnavis, who immediately responded, emphasising Maharashtra’s long-standing practice of the chief minister approving the list of candidates proposed by ministers for these roles.