Anticipating a cabinet expansion shortly in Maharashtra, reports of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shindeโs reported displeasure over the distribution of important portfolios has emerged. While both the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had gone to New Delhi on December 11, Shinde chose to remain back which only added to speculations of lack of harmony in Mahayuti alliance.
Portfolio Disputes
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to retain the crucial Home Department, which Shinde has been keen to get since he was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister. This issue has raised tension between the BJP and the Shiv Sena within the coalition context.
โThe Shiv Sena believes the BJP is systematically working to downsize its powers within the government. They are not only denying Shinde the Home ministry but also not agreeing for Revenue, Industries and Housing portfolios sought by the party in the new government,โ a Shiv Sena leader was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
Shinde is also known to be angry with the NCPโs demand on the Housing portfolio which was earlier with the BJP in the last Mahayuti government.
Cabinet Expansion and Bargaining
The cabinet expansion is due to take place on December 16 and the Mahayuti government will decide on the distribution of 43 departments, including the CMโs. Sources have revealed that there is cutthroat competition at the negotiation table as BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP are indisputably demanding the influential departments.
The initial plan was to hold a formal meeting with Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar in Delhi to decide the portfolio distribution. But staying behind Shinde has further shuffled the balance of power within the coalition and made it confusing.
Power Dynamics
According to the Shiv Sena, both the BJP and the NCP are conspiring against the party to weaken its control in the state government. It is said that BJP can have 20 Departments, and Shiv Sena and NCP can have 10 Departments each.
The BJP is expected to retain the Home Ministry, while the Public Works Department (PWD) and Urban Development (UD) could go to the Shinde group. On the other hand, Ajit Pawar might continue as the Minister of Finance.
Devendra Fadnavis for the third time took oath as the Chief Minister on December 5 at a massive function held in Mumbaiโs Azad Maidan, with Shinde and Pawar as Deputy Chief Ministers. Many people, including the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and other senior leaders of the BJP were also present on the occasion.
