Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 1: Sachin Ahir was on Wednesday elected unopposed as the Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council after the Shiv Sena (UBT)-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) withdrew its candidate from the contest following a request from the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

The opposition's decision came after discussions with Maharashtra Legislative Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil, paving the way for Ahir, the Mahayuti nominee, to secure the post without a contest.

Legislative Council Chairperson Ram Shinde formally declared Ahir elected unopposed during the ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature after no other candidate remained in the fray.

Ahir's election came a day after he switched allegiance from the Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Soon after joining the ruling camp on Tuesday, he was announced as the Mahayuti's candidate for the Deputy Chairperson's post.

A close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, Ahir's defection is being viewed as another setback for the opposition party and a significant political development in Maharashtra.

The Deputy Chairperson presides over the proceedings of the Legislative Council in the absence of the Chairperson.