- Oath-Taking Date & Location: The Maharashtra Cabinet expansion will take place on December 15, with the oath-taking ceremony scheduled in Nagpur, ahead of the state’s winter session commencing on December 16.
- Expected Ministers: About 30-32 ministers from the Mahayuti coalition (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) are expected to be sworn in.
- BJP: 20-21 ministerial berths
- Shiv Sena: 11-12 berths
- NCP: 9-10 berths
- Political Context:
- The Mahayuti alliance came to power after the November 20 assembly polls, winning 230 out of 288 seats.
- Devendra Fadnavis of BJP was sworn in as Chief Minister, with Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Ajit Pawar (NCP) as Deputy Chief Ministers.
- The BJP holds the highest number of seats (132), followed by Shiv Sena (57) and NCP (41).
- Home Portfolio Controversy: Discussions surrounding the home portfolio remain unresolved, with Shiv Sena leaders asserting that Shinde deserves a “befitting” role. BJP is reluctant to cede this key position.
Question:
How will this cabinet expansion affect Maharashtra’s governance, and what are its implications for the Mahayuti alliance’s stability?
Relevant Insights:
The expansion indicates efforts to maintain a balance of power among alliance partners while resolving internal disputes, such as the home portfolio, which could impact the alliance’s long-term harmony.
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