The swearing-in ceremony for the Maharashtra Cabinet is scheduled to take place in Nagpur on Sunday evening, coinciding with the eve of the state assembly's winter session. This development follows weeks of intense negotiations among the Mahayuti alliance partners—BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP—who secured a decisive victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections held on November 23.
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Fierce Competition for Ministerial Posts
The formation of the new BJP-led Mahayuti government has sparked fierce competition among MLAs for ministerial positions. Members of the BJP and Shiv Sena have been actively vying for key roles in Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ cabinet and council of ministers. This marks the first major cabinet expansion since Fadnavis assumed office with his two deputies, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, two weeks ago.
After extensive deliberations and multiple meetings involving senior leaders of the three coalition parties, a consensus has been reached on the allocation of key portfolios, paving the way for the induction of new ministers.
Power Distribution Among Coalition Partners
According to sources, the BJP, which emerged as the largest party in the assembly elections, is expected to secure 20-21 ministerial positions, while the Shiv Sena may receive 11-12 berths and the NCP 9-10. Reports from PTI suggest the BJP will also introduce fresh faces in the new cabinet lineup.
Shiv Sena Faces Internal Contest
Within the Shiv Sena, the competition for ministerial posts has been particularly intense. Prominent MLAs, including Sanjay Shirsat, Yogesh Kadam, Vijay Shivtare, Bharat Gogawale, and Balaji Kinikar, recently met with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to lobby for their inclusion. Meanwhile, former ministers Deepak Kesarkar and Tanaji Sawant reportedly waited for hours to meet Shinde but were unsuccessful.
The BJP has maintained its stance against including MLAs with controversial backgrounds, expressing concerns over candidates such as Kesarkar, Sawant, Abdul Sattar, and Sanjay Rathod. The inclusion of Rathod, however, remains critical for Shinde’s socio-political strategy due to Rathod's influence within the Banjara community, which holds sway in parts of Vidarbha. Rathod's candidacy has been clouded by allegations linking him to the suicide of a young woman in Pune, a factor that Chief Minister Fadnavis has cited to oppose his inclusion.
Reports of Misconduct and Authoritarianism
Concerns have also been raised regarding the conduct of Abdul Sattar and Tanaji Sawant. Allegations of authoritarian behavior against Sattar and frequent clashes between Sawant and health secretaries during his tenure as health minister have added to the complexities of finalizing the cabinet.
Final Cabinet Composition
A senior BJP leader revealed that 30-32 ministers are expected to take the oath during Sunday’s ceremony, including 20 from the BJP and the remainder from the Shiv Sena. Maharashtra’s council of ministers has a maximum capacity of 43 members, including the Chief Minister.
Election Aftermath and Power Dynamics
The Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory in the November 20 elections, winning 230 of the 288 assembly seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, followed by Shinde’s Shiv Sena with 57 and Pawar’s NCP securing 41.
The government formation process has been marked by significant political maneuvering, including Shinde stepping aside to allow Fadnavis to take the Chief Minister’s position. Initially reluctant to join the government, Shinde had expressed a preference for focusing on party organization but was eventually persuaded to serve as Deputy Chief Minister. The Shiv Sena has consistently lobbied for Shinde to be given a portfolio commensurate with his stature, including a demand for the Home Ministry, which the BJP has thus far resisted.
This cabinet expansion promises to set the tone for the Mahayuti government’s functioning as it navigates the challenges of coalition politics in Maharashtra.
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