Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: BJP to Induct 19 MLAs, Including 3 Women Leaders
The BJP-led Maharashtra government will expand its Cabinet today, with 19 BJP MLAs, including three women leaders, expected to take oath. Shiv Sena and NCP factions will also secure ministerial berths. Key portfolio negotiations continue.
The BJP-led Maharashtra government is set to expand its Cabinet today at 4 pm, with 19 BJP MLAs, including three women leaders, likely to take the oath of office. After weeks of intense deliberations over ministerial portfolios, the Cabinet reshuffle will include a mix of experienced and young leaders, sources revealed.
The list of probable BJP inductees includes prominent names like Pankaja Munde, Meghna Bordikar, Madhuri Misal, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Nitesh Rane, Chandrakant Patil, and Mangal Prabhat Lodha, among others.
Maharashtra is expected to have 40 ministers in its new Cabinet, nearing the constitutional limit of 43, including the Chief Minister. Of these, former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction is likely to get 12 Cabinet seats, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP is expected to secure 10.
Sources suggest that at least six leaders from Shinde's Sena faction, including Pratap Sarnaik, Prakash Abitkar, Sharat Gogavale, Yogesh Kadam, Ashish Jaiswal, and Sanjay Shirsat, will take the oath as ministers. The allocation of key portfolios is still under negotiation. While the Sena faction is reportedly eyeing the Home portfolio, which was previously held by Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP is expected to retain it. The Sena may instead be offered Urban Development, Public Works, and Revenue ministries.
The Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP), which secured a thumping majority in the November Assembly elections by winning 230 out of 288 seats, faced criticism from the opposition for delays in announcing the Cabinet despite its mandate.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who assumed office on December 5 along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, conducted a roadshow in Nagpur ahead of the expansion. Accompanied by his wife, Amruta Fadnavis, and BJP state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mr. Fadnavis addressed supporters, saying, "Nagpur city is my family, and my family is welcoming me."
The Cabinet expansion is seen as a critical step in shaping the governance agenda of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.
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