The BJP is likely to give 12 cabinet berths to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, including three major portfolios, under a deal reached after the selection of the Chief Minister. Sources said the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, the third partner in the Mahayuti alliance, may get nine cabinet berths. With a maximum of 43 ministerial berths in the expanded Cabinet, with the inclusion of the Chief Minister, BJP is likely to retain half of those for itself.
Eknath Shinde who had given up before the BJP’s fiat to have its nominee as the Chief Minister is likely to get important ministries like Urban Development, Public Works, and Water Resources. There were earlier reports that the new Chief Minister would be from the BJP, assisted by two Deputy Chief Ministers, one from the Shiv Sena and another from the NCP. Ajit Pawar has reportedly told party leaders that the swearing-in ceremony might take place this weekend.
After a day of political brinksmanship by Shiv Sena leaders, Shinde said his party would support whatever decision Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah make on the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He said he would not be an “obstacle.” Despite the posturing, the influence of Shinde to contest for the top position seems limited. With the BJP securing 132 seats and the NCP backing the larger party, Shinde’s support is not crucial for the attainment of a majority in the 288-seat Assembly.
Being a big leader and former Chief Minister of the State, Devendra Fadnavis emerges as the front-runner for the race. Considering that the BJP fared well in Maharashtra, most of its workers prefer Fadnavis as the Chief Minister this time. The way BJP is trying to get rid of every issue, seems that BJP is all in to announce their new Chief Minister.
