• Source:JND
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The cabinet expansion in Maharashtra is likely to take place on December 14. While the Chief Minister’s post has been decided, dividing ministries and getting everyone’s agreement can be a a big challenge for the Bharatiya Janta Party. Sources say the Shiv Sena wants the Home Ministry, but the BJP is not ready to give it up. At the same time, both Shiv Sena and NCP have their eyes on the Finance Ministry.

Last week, Eknath Shinde was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, ending weeks of speculation over whether he would step aside to allow the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis to become Chief Minister. Ultimately, former Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde agreed, enabling Fadnavis to take the top post. However, this week, the Shiv Sena may create new challenges for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which achieved a massive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly election.

Sources told NDTV that Shinde might not be in Delhi when CM Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, the NCP leader, meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss ministry allocation in the state. Deciding who gets which ministry is expected to be the next big challenge for the BJP, as both allies are demanding important portfolios in return for their support in the recent elections.

Reports suggest the Shiv Sena might get Urban Development, the Public Works Department, and Revenue. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s NCP is asking for an equal share of ministries, arguing that they had a better ‘strike rate’—a higher percentage of seats won compared to those contested—despite winning fewer seats overall in the Maharashtra Assembly election.

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After Eknath Shinde's fight for the Chief Minister’s post is over, now the focus is on the cabinet expansion. Shinde, who gave up the CM role, is said to want the important Home Ministry, which controls the Maharashtra Police.

Ajit Pawar’s NCP is also making strong demands. Having held the Finance Ministry before, Pawar is firm on getting it again. However, the Shiv Sena also wants the same portfolio, making things difficult for the BJP.

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Under the current seat sharing plan, the BJP is likely to keep 22 ministries, while the Shiv Sena may get 12, and the NCP 9. The final arrangement needs to be ready by December 16, as the new Maharashtra Assembly session starts then. This might leave les time to sort out the issues in the Mahayuti 2.0 government for BJP.

In the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP won 132 out of 288 seats. The Shiv Sena won 57 seats, while the NCP got 41. The BJP contested 149 seats, the Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59.

 

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