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The cabinet expansion of the BJP-led government is likely to take place on December 15, with the new ministers taking the oath of office at a ceremony in Nagpur
The cabinet expansion of the BJP-led government is likely to take place on December 15 (File)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda held a brief discussion on the impending cabinet expansion of Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government, according to sources.
The cabinet expansion of the BJP-led government is likely to take place on December 15, with the new ministers taking the oath of office at a ceremony in Nagpur, news agency PTI had reported citing official sources.
A senior BJP leader had said that 30-32 MLAs are likely to sworn-in as ministers.
The cabinet expansion is likely to happen before the Nagpur state legislature winter session, which is slated to commence from December 16.
Earlier this week, CM Fadnavis met BJP top leadership including PM Modi and Amit Shah to discuss the cabinet expansion.
It is likely that the BJP might keep the Home Department, which was the point of deadlock with the Shiv Sena, which was earlier reportedly keen on bagging the Home Ministry, as Eknath Shinde was demoted from the Chief Minister’s post in the previous government to Deputy CM in the new administration.
According to sources, the three leaders of the Mahayuti – Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar – have agreed to a new formula for portfolio allocation, as per which the BJP will have 20 departments, and Shiv Sena, and NCP will hold 10 ministries each.
“The BJP plans to assign portfolios to its existing ministers. The NCP is also likely to place its trust in its old ministers. However, the Shiv Sena (Shinde camp) might appoint new faces as ministers,” sources told CNN-News18.
Sources also indicated that the PWD (Public Works Department) and UD (Urban Development) may go to the Shinde camp. Ajit Pawar is likely to retain the Finance portfolio, they said.
Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister on December 5, while Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took oath as his deputies. In the November 20 assembly polls, the Mahayuti swept to power, winning 230 out of 288 seats in the state. The BJP led with 132 seats, followed by Shinde’s Shiv Sena with 57 and Pawar’s NCP getting 41.
