Cabinet Expansion Update: CM Fadnavis Declares No Confirmed Date While Ajit Pawar Suggests December 14

Mumbai, Dec 12 (NationPress) Maharashtra is likely to undergo a cabinet expansion on December 14, merely two days prior to the commencement of the week-long winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur. This speculation was raised by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chose not to verify this information.

The two leaders convened with Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday, although Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was not present.

Ajit Pawar met with Home Minister Amit Shah alongside party working president Praful Patel and state unit chief Sunil Tatkare. The following day, he also met his uncle and NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar to extend birthday wishes.

Shortly after, he alluded to the potential cabinet expansion.

Nevertheless, CM Fadnavis withheld confirmation, stating, "The date for cabinet expansion is yet to be determined."

The BJP, holding 132 legislators, along with Shiv Sena with 57 and NCP with 41, have reportedly reached an agreement on the distribution of cabinet positions among the three parties. Consequently, it is anticipated that the BJP will receive 20 to 22 cabinet berths, Shiv Sena 11 to 12, and NCP 10.

CM Fadnavis is entitled to form a 43-member cabinet, which constitutes 15 percent of the total number of legislators in the state assembly. The BJP is retaining the politically significant home department, dismissing Shiv Sena's request in this context.

The NCP is likely to keep the finance and planning portfolios, although it is pushing for the inclusion of a housing department within its share. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has expressed interest in acquiring revenue, urban development, and the housing portfolio.

CM Fadnavis, along with Deputy CMs Shinde and Ajit Pawar, took their oaths at an elaborate swearing-in ceremony held on December 5 in Mumbai, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and numerous NDA leaders.

Regarding the cabinet expansion and the allocation of ministries among BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, Fadnavis noted, "There has been a lot of speculation about my meeting with Ajit Pawar in Delhi concerning cabinet expansion. I want to clarify that I attended party-related meetings while Ajit Pawar had his own engagements, so there is no need for excessive speculation. Decisions regarding ministerial appointments are made by the parliamentary board and senior leadership within our party. We will determine our ministers from the BJP quota, while the NCP and Shiv Sena will finalize their ministerial selections independently. The cabinet expansion formula has already been established, and details will be revealed soon."

On Thursday, the CM met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reportedly seeking his blessings and guidance for the administration of the Mahayuti government in the state. "I am extremely grateful to Hon PM Narendra Modi ji for your precious time, guidance, blessings, and unwavering support for Maharashtra. Over the past decade, with your assistance, Maharashtra has excelled in almost every sector and now aims to elevate this journey of VIKAS to new heights under your leadership and guidance. You have consistently inspired countless BJP Karyakarta like us to strive even harder," he expressed in his post on X.

CM Fadnavis also had discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and party president J.P. Nadda. After meeting the Home Minister, Fadnavis remarked, "It was a genuine pleasure to meet and interact with Hon Union and Cooperation Minister Amitbhai Shah at his residence in New Delhi. I also presented him with a 'murti' of SwatantryaVeer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar."

Following his meeting with the Defence Minister, CM Fadnavis, in the company of state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, stated on X, "It was a great honor to meet our senior leader Hon RakshaMantri Rajnath Singh ji at his residence in New Delhi. I received his blessings and presented him with an idol of Shri Ganesh."

CM Fadnavis and Bawankule also met with Nadda, with Fadnavis posting on X, "Met and honored our BJP National President and Hon Union Minister Shri JP Nadda Ji at his residence in New Delhi. I presented him with a murti of Rajyamata GauMata.