Big news emerges regarding the formation of the Maharashtra government. On December 5th, the Chief Minister along with two Deputy Chief Ministers will be sworn in. Sources indicate that BJP will hold 21 to 22 ministries in the Maharashtra government.
According to sources, the Home Ministry will remain with BJP. BJP might secure the Maharashtra Speaker's position, with further discussions to tackle the remaining departments later.
The new state government is expected to include 11 to 12 ministers from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, while Ajit Pawar's NCP will provide 10 ministers. However, Eknath Shinde has requested 16 ministries in the cabinet.
Sources claim that Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar will be sworn in on December 5th at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the event as a special guest.
Who Might Get Which Ministry?
According to sources, BJP may keep portfolios like Home and Revenue in Maharashtra. The party might also receive the Speaker position and the Chairman of the Legislative Council. NCP could handle Finance, while Shinde's Shiv Sena might take Urban Development. Other ministries will be finalized in later discussions. The winter session of the Maharashtra assembly will commence in Nagpur on December 16th.
Before this, the three key leaders, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, will meet in Mumbai to agree on the new Chief Minister and cabinet strategies. Acting CM Eknath Shinde remains unwell, delaying continuous meetings. Shinde is heading to the hospital for some tests, suffering from fever and feeling weak.
Suspense Surrounds CM Position
It's been nearly a week and a half since the Maharashtra assembly election results were declared, yet suspense looms over the CM position. Being the largest party in the coalition, BJP desires its own Chief Minister. Former CM Devendra Fadnavis is leading the candidate list, with Ajit Pawar in agreement.
However, Shiv Sena wishes to reinstall Eknath Shinde as CM, arguing that their policies enabled such performance in the elections by the coalition, Maha Yuti.
In the Maharashtra election, Maha Yuti won 232 seats. The BJP secured 132, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) 57, and Ajit Pawar's NCP took 41 seats. Two coalition parties secured 1 seat each. Opposing coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi, fell behind as Shiv Sena under Thackeray won 20, Sharad Pawar's NCP got 10, and Congress secured 16 seats.
