Late on Wednesday night, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP's national president JP Nadda had a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence. Following a resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Maha Yuti government took power on December 5. This meeting occurred amid ongoing speculation regarding departmental allocations among the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was not present at the meeting with Amit Shah.
According to sources, discussions took place between Devendra Fadnavis and top BJP leaders about portfolio allocations among the allied parties in the Maha Yuti government. A senior BJP leader informed the Press Trust of India (PTI) that the cabinet expansion in Maharashtra is likely on December 14. The leader also mentioned that the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, will not receive the Home Department, and allocations for the Revenue Department are unlikely.
The Cabinet Expansion in Maharashtra is Likely on December 14
On the condition of anonymity, a BJP leader said, 'The cabinet expansion is expected by December 14. Shiv Sena won't get the Home department but might receive the Urban Development Ministry. The Revenue Department is also unlikely. BJP will keep 21 to 22 ministerial positions, including the Chief Minister, and may leave four to five positions vacant. The delay in portfolio allocation discussions is because three parties (Maha Yuti allies - BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP) are involved.' Maharashtra's cabinet can include up to 43 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
Shiv Sena MLA and spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat stated that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has clarified that departmental allocations will occur before the winter session of the state assembly, starting December 16. Previously, when asked about his Delhi visit, Devendra Fadnavis informed the media that he was going to the national capital for a courtesy visit to meet BJP's top leaders after becoming Chief Minister. He met with President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
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The Maha Yuti coalition secured an overwhelming majority by winning 230 out of 288 assembly seats in the Maharashtra assembly elections on November 20. Devendra Fadnavis took the oath as Chief Minister on December 5. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers. Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis appointed Rameshwar Naik as the head of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, replacing Mangesh Chivate, who was considered close to former CM Eknath Shinde.
Rameshwar Naik Appointed New Chief of CM Relief Fund
In June 2022, following Shinde's appointment as Chief Minister, Mangesh Chivate was given this position. Prior to this, Rameshwar Naik was chief of the medical assistance cell of the Deputy Chief Minister's office when Fadnavis held the position. The Chief Minister's Relief Fund provides aid to families and individuals affected by natural disasters, relatives of those who lose their lives in accidents, or patients requiring treatment for major illnesses.
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Shiv Sena Will Not Repeat Three of Its Ministers
Amidst portfolio allocation speculations, a Shiv Sena leader stated that the party will not offer positions to three former ministers in the new state cabinet. This decision was attributed to their inadequate performance as ministers, and their inaccessibility to the public. The party plans to introduce new faces in their place. A Shiv Sena MLA close to Eknath Shinde informed PTI that the three former ministers omitted from the cabinet this time hail from Konkan, Western Maharashtra, and Marathwada. Several of the party's MLAs complained that even they struggled to access these ministers during the previous Maha Yuti government.
