Mumbai/Pune — Shri Anna Dadu Bansode, currently the Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, has charted a remarkable rise from humble beginnings to one of the highest legislative positions in the state.
Born in 1978 in Chinchwad, Maharashtra, Bansode began his working life running a small paan shop in the area. His entry into public life started at the grassroots. In 1997, he contested and won the election as a corporator in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). He went on to serve three consecutive terms as corporator and was later appointed Chairman of the Standing Committee.
Political Career
Bansode first entered the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2009 when he was elected as MLA from the Pimpri constituency (a seat reserved for Scheduled Castes). After a defeat in 2014, he returned to the Assembly in 2019 and retained the seat in the 2024 elections, making him a three-time MLA from Pimpri.
A member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Bansode is widely regarded as a loyal aide of the NCP chief. His steadfast support during the 2019 political developments within the party strengthened his position within the organisation.
Elevation as Deputy Speaker
On 25 March 2025, Anna Bansode was unanimously elected as the 19th Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The motion for his election was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and seconded by BJP minister Chandrakant Patil. He assumed office the same day, succeeding Narhari Sitaram Zirwal.
His elevation is seen as significant for Pimpri-Chinchwad, as the industrial region had not seen a leader occupy such a high legislative post for nearly two decades. As Deputy Speaker, Bansode presides over the Assembly in the absence of the Speaker and holds a position equivalent in rank to a Cabinet Minister.
Public Image
Known for his low-profile approach, Bansode rarely delivers lengthy speeches in the Assembly or at public rallies. However, he maintains a strong connect with the local people, particularly those living in working-class and slum areas of Pimpri-Chinchwad. Many residents refer to him as “aplaa manoos” (our own man) for his accessibility and focus on local issues.
From running a paan shop to becoming Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Anna Bansode’s journey reflects a classic story of grassroots politics and political loyalty in Maharashtra.
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