Maha CM Fadnavis meets Anna Hazare, receives invitation to visit Ralegan Siddhi

Ahilya Nagar (Maharashtra) (The Uttam Hindu): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Ahilya Nagar for the first time after assuming office and met renowned social activist Anna Hazare on Sunday. During the meeting Hazare congratulated Fadnavis and extended an invitation for him to visit Ralegan Siddhi, his village that has become a symbol of social reforms. Fadnavis expressed his gratitude and received blessings from the veteran activist. The Chief Minister shared the moment on X, stating "Today, I met senior social worker, Padma Bhushan Anna Hazare ji in Ahilyanagar, during which I took his blessings and thanked him for his good wishes. Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil was also present at this time." The Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office posted pictures from the meeting on its X account highlighting the warm interaction between the two.

The CMO's post read, "Social worker Anna Hazare congratulated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and invited him to visit Ralegan Siddhi. On this occasion, the Chief Minister greeted Mr. Hazare and thanked him for the wishes." Fadnavis arrived at the helipad of Padma Shri Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation Medical College, where he was welcomed by several dignitaries, including Legislative Council Chairman Prof. Ram Shinde and Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Other officials present at the event included MLAs Sangram Jagtap, Shivajirao Kardile, Kashinath Date, former minister Babanrao Pachpute, and senior police and administrative officials. Earlier in the day, Fadnavis arrived at Shirdi Airport, where he was received by Sub-Divisional Officer Manik Aher. In a separate development, the Maharashtra government had allocated portfolios to ministers the day before. Governor CP Radhakrishnan approved the departmental assignments, with Fadnavis retaining the Home, Energy, and Law departments. Ajit Pawar was given the Finance Department, while Eknath Shinde was entrusted with the Urban Development and Public Works Department.The 39 ministers of the Mahayuti alliance, which includes 19 from the BJP, 11 from the Shiv Sena Shinde faction, and 9 from the NCP Ajit Pawar faction, had taken their oaths on December 15.