Sources from the Nationalist Congress Party have revealed the names of possible leaders from the party who could be given ministerial berths in the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. According to the sources, NCP president Ajit Pawar will be in the ministry and is likely to continue as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Apart from Pawar, Aditi Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dhananjay Munde, Anil Bhaidas Patil, and Sanjay Bansode are also likely to return as ministers. Former Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly Narhari Zirwal is likely to be granted a ministry.
Senior NCP leader Dattatray Bharane, who was a minister in the Uddhav Thackeray government could also see a return to the Cabinet. Among the new faces who could get ministerial berths are former mayor of Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation Sangram Jagtap, Pusad MLA Indranil Naik, and Maval MLA Sunil Shelke.
ALSO READ | Ahead Of Maharashtra CM Swear-In BJP Troubleshooter Has Late-Night Chat With Eknath Shinde
The new Chief Minister of Maharashtra will take oath on Thursday, December 5. While Devendra Fadnavis's name has almost been finalised for the top post, there is no official confirmation. It is not yet confirmed whether the new ministers will be formally announced on the same day and if they will take oath.
Meanwhile, with the speculations around the CM's chair, the Maharashtra political circles are buzzing louder with each passing day. The Mahayuti has failed to announce the CM's name even after 10 days of the declaration of the Maharashtra Assembly election results. Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde is reportedly disgruntled at having been relegated by the BJP to the Deputy CM's post. Shinde is now being pacified by the BJP, which is trying to fix his role and allot ministries respectfully.
BJP leader Girish Mahajan on Monday night visited Shinde and spoke about the swearing-in event. However, he refused to divulge further details.