The suspense surrounding the portfolio distribution in Maharashtra’s newly formed government is expected to end soon as the Mahayuti allies have worked out a new formula for the same, according to sources on Thursday. This comes after a late-night meeting in Delhi between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP chief JP Nadda, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, signaling progress towards finalizing the Cabinet.
According to sources, the key point of contention—the Home Ministry—may remain with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite earlier reports that Shiv Sena had expressed interest in this crucial portfolio. The Home Ministry became a significant point of deadlock in the negotiations, particularly after Eknath Shinde was moved from the position of Chief Minister in the previous government to Deputy Chief Minister in the current administration.
As part of the new formula, the Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde camp), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has agreed on the distribution of ministries. The BJP is expected to control 20 departments, while Shiv Sena and NCP will each hold 10 ministries. This formula was reached after discussions between Fadnavis, Shinde, and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who played a crucial role in the negotiation process.
The BJP, being the largest party in the alliance, is expected to retain several key portfolios, including the Home Ministry. Public Works Department (PWD) and Urban Development (UD) are likely to be given to the Shinde camp, sources said. Additionally, Ajit Pawar, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister, is likely to retain the Finance portfolio, which he held in the previous government.
Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister on December 5, while Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took the oath as his deputies. Notably, the swearing-in ceremony was a grand event held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was accompanied by several other top ministers and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states.
This new Cabinet formation comes after weeks of intense discussions and negotiations among the allies, and the finalization of portfolios is seen as the last step in stabilizing the new government in Maharashtra.
