The much-anticipated Maharashtra cabinet expansion has taken place, with new ministers inducted into Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s team. Following extensive discussions, the list of ministers was finalized, and the allocation of portfolios is expected within the next two days. However, controversy has arisen over the inclusion of several ministers who are under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for corruption charges.
In the recent cabinet expansion on Sunday, 39 leaders were sworn in, including 19 from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 11 from the Shiv Sena, and 9 from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Among them, Pratap Sarnaik, Hasan Mushrif, and Dhananjay Munde are reportedly under ED investigation for alleged corruption. According to a report, no closure reports have been filed in court for these cases, indicating that the investigations are ongoing.
Hasan Mushrif has faced ED raids at several locations, while Dhananjay Munde is being investigated for alleged irregularities concerning a 17-acre plot. Pratap Sarnaik, on the other hand, is under scrutiny for money laundering charges. The ED has reportedly filed chargesheets against companies and associates linked to these ministers, further complicating their inclusion in the cabinet.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Girish Mahajan, who was previously accused of extortion and kidnapping during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government’s tenure, has been given a clean chit by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Girish Mahajan had requested a CBI investigation to clear his name, and the inquiry, initiated under the directive of the Eknath Shinde government, ultimately exonerated him.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the media following the swearing-in ceremony, confirming that portfolio allocations would be finalized within two days. He announced that the expanded cabinet includes 39 ministers, of whom six are ministers of state. The government aims to strengthen its administrative framework amid public scrutiny over the inclusion of ministers facing corruption allegations.
The controversy surrounding the induction of ministers under investigation has sparked a debate on accountability and transparency in governance. As the newly appointed cabinet members prepare to take charge, the final portfolio distribution and the progress of ongoing investigations are being closely watched.
