Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is reportedly angry over the allocation of key portfolios. Ahead of the cabinet expansion in the Mahayuti government, Shinde skipped his visit to New Delhi on December 11, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar arrived in the national capital.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may retain the Home Ministry, which has been a bone of contention with the Shiv Sena. Shinde has been keen to secure the home ministry since he agreed to take oath as deputy chief minister in the new government.
The cabinet expansion in Maharashtra is likely to take place on December 16. The government may have 43 ministries, including the CM. According to reports, all three parties in the Mahayuti – the BJP, the Shiv Sena and the NCP – are engaged in hard bargains.
According to sources, a formal meeting of the three leaders – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Shinde and Ajit Pawar – was scheduled in Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting would formalize the portfolio division. But according to reports, Shinde decided to stay back.
“The Shiv Sena believes that the BJP is systematically working to reduce its powers in the government. They are not only denying Shinde the Home Ministry but also not agreeing to the Revenue, Industries and Housing portfolios that the party is seeking in the new government,” said a Shiv Sena leader. Indian Express.
The Indian Express report said that the Shiv Sena believes that the BJP and the NCP are working together to undermine its power in the Mahayuti government.
Eknath Shinde angry?
Shinde is also reportedly angry over the NCP's claim on the residential portfolio. The Housing Ministry sided with the BJP in the last Mahayuti government.
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third term at a mega oath-taking ceremony at the historic Azad Maidan in Mumbai on December 5. Shinde and Pawar also took oath as deputy chief ministers at the star-studded event. by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the top brass of the BJP.
BJP, the largest party with 132 MLAs, is expected to get 20 wards. According to reports, the Shiv Sena and the NCP will have 10 ministries each.
The Shiv Sena believes that the BJP is systematically working to reduce its powers in the government.
The BJP will retain the Home Ministry, while PWD (Public Works Department) and UD (Urban Development) may go to the Shinde camp. Ajit Pawar is likely to retain the finance portfolio, reports said.
