Maharashtra Politics: Politics has intensified in Maharashtra regarding the issue of cabinet expansion and allocation of departments to new ministers. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena said on Thursday (July 13) that the expansion of the state cabinet and allocation of portfolios is likely to happen on July 14. The Shiv Sena (UBT), however, took a jibe at the Shinde faction, claiming that there was little chance that Eknath Shinde will be included in the cabinet expansion.
Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs of his party took oath as ministers in the Maharashtra government on 2 July, in rebellion. After his move, there has been a split in the organization led by Sharad Pawar. With the induction of NCP MLAs into the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government, a tussle has started over the allocation of portfolios.
Maharashtra cabinet expansion may happen tomorrow
The round of meetings continues
Amidst speculation about allocation of portfolios to new ministers, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar met BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis had a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his residence. A BJP source told news agency PTI that the meeting lasted for about half an hour.
Ajit Pawar meets Amit Shah
Earlier, Ajit Pawar and NCP leader Praful Patel met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior BJP leaders in Delhi on Wednesday night. Praful Patel then said it was a courtesy call on Amit Shah and other BJP leaders as he and Ajit Pawar had not formally met these senior leaders since joining the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.
< pstyle="text-align: justify;">Uddhav Thackeray faction targets
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) has taken a dig at the coalition government in Maharashtra. Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said that it would be difficult for the BJP to satisfy those whom they is broken. It is not impossible, but it is very difficult to meet the expectations of legislators of all three parties.
Ambadas Danve claimed that the number of MLAs willing to become ministers is more and the posts are less. There is a lot of discontent among BJP workers. He said that cabinet expansion in such a situation is a challenging task. Still there is no allotment of portfolios, so when will cabinet expansion happen again.
Sanjay Raut’s sarcasm on Shinde faction
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that it is doubtful that the cabinet expansion will take place as it will lead to anger between Shiv Sena and NCP. All ministers of Ajit Pawar faction are veterans who have served as Deputy Chief Minister, Home Minister. That’s why they will need to be given departments accordingly. On the other hand, the Shinde group will have to survive on peanuts.
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