Pune: The swearing-in ceremony for newly elected members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was conducted on Saturday (December 7).

A lighthearted incident during the event lightened the atmosphere when Hemant Rasane, the newly elected BJP MLA from Kasba Peth assembly constituency, inadvertently sat on the opposition benches.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar noticed the mistake and personally escorted Rasane to the ruling party’s seats.

Hemant Rasane, a seasoned BJP leader, recently reclaimed the Kasba Peth constituency for his party, defeating Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar by a large margin.

The Kasba Peth seat holds strategic importance for the BJP as it has been a traditional stronghold, despite a temporary setback in the 2023 by-election when Congress captured the seat.

Rasane’s leadership, evident during his tenure as the chairman of the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee, has established him as a prominent figure within the party.

As Rasane entered the assembly hall for the swearing-in ceremony, he mistakenly sat among the opposition members. Ajit Pawar, observing the confusion, walked over, held Rasane’s hand, and guided him to the correct section designated for the ruling party.

The incident sparked laughter among the assembly members, diffusing the formality of the occasion.

Rasane, acknowledging the moment with a smile, expressed his gratitude to Ajit Pawar for his assistance. The lighthearted exchange underscored the camaraderie between the political leaders amidst the formalities of the event.