In the newly formed Modi 3.0 government, Maharashtra’s representation in the Union Cabinet saw a reduction by two ministers, with six MPs from the state sworn in on Sunday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured four berths, while allies Shiv Sena and Republican Party of India (Athawale) (RPI-A) gained one each.
Notably, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, declined the BJP’s offer of Minister of State (MoS) with independent charge, insisting on a cabinet berth for Praful Patel.
In the previous term (2019-2024), there were eight ministers from Maharashtra representing the BJP and its allies. However, this number decreased to six in the current cabinet.
Retained as Cabinet ministers, BJP MPs Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal continue their tenure. Additionally, Raksha Khadse, the BJP’s sole woman MP from Maharashtra, and first-time MP Murlidhar Mohol were sworn in as Ministers of State.
Among BJP’s allies, RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale retained his position as an MoS with independent charge, while Prataprao Jadhav from Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, also took oath as an MoS with independent charge.
Despite offering an MoS position to the NCP, they declined, advocating for a cabinet berth for Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel due to his experience.
Addressing the coalition dynamics, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stressed the importance of respecting coalition formulas and assured that the NCP would be considered in future cabinet expansions.
In response, Ajit Pawar affirmed the NCP’s readiness to wait but emphasized their desire for a cabinet portfolio.
Among the ministers from Maharashtra in the previous government (2019-2024), only Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Raksha Khadse, and Murlidhar Mohol secured victories in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
Notably, Narayan Rane, a BJP candidate, was not re-inducted into the Union cabinet despite his victory from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha constituency. Additionally, three BJP ministers—Raosaheb Danve, Bharati Pawar, and Kapil Patil—lost in the elections.
