Maha Cabinet Expansion To Take Place In Two Phases. BJP To Get 28 Ministerial Posts, Shinde Camp 14: Sources

The expansion of the Maharashtra cabinet led by CM Eknath Shinde can be done in two phases. Know how the departments are expected to be distributed among the BJP and the rebel Shiv Sena camp.

New Delhi: The expansion of the Maharashtra cabinet led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is likely to take place in two phases. As per sources, the first announcements will be made before the presidential election to be held on July 18 and the second phase will take place after the polls. On June 30, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the oath of office only to Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. After winning the trust vote on Monday, CM Shinde had said that he will need some time before he and Fadnavis discuss the allocation of cabinet portfolios.

According to sources, 28 ministerial posts will be with BJP, out of which 8 will be ministers of state. Meanwhile, the Shinde camp is expected to secure 14 ministerial posts. BJP can get the departments of home, finance, Public Works Department (PWD), housing, energy, skill development and planning, rural development, revenue, water resources, sports, and Law and Judiciary

On the other hand, the Shinde camp is expected to secure the departments of Urban Development, General Administration Department (GAD), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), environment, agriculture, education, water supply, transport, tourism, health, disaster management, social justice, and industry.

Maha Cabinet Expansion Likely After July 11 SC Hearing  On Pleas Seeking Disqualification Of Rebel Sena MLAs: Report

Earlier, news agency PTI had reported that Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde is likely to conduct the state cabinet expansion after the Supreme Court hears pleas seeking disqualification of 16 Shiv Sena rebels, and the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction's plea challenging the Speaker's decision to recognise the new party whip of the Shinde group.

The top court is slated to hear all the pleas on July 11.

"The cabinet expansion is likely to be done after hearing of the pleas in the Supreme Court," a source told PTI on Wednesday.

Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear on July 11 the plea of Shiv Sena's Sunil Prabhu seeking suspension from the Assembly of CM Shinde and 15 rebel MLAs against whom disqualification pleas are pending. On Monday, the SC had agreed to hear on July 11 a fresh plea of the Uddhav Thackeray faction, challenging the decision of the newly-elected Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly to recognise the new party whip of Shiv Sena rebels led by CM Shinde.

When asked about the cabinet expansion, the newly sworn-in Chief Minister had said, “Let us breathe properly. It was quite hectic for us (referring to political activities recently in the state). I and Devendra Fadnavis will sit and discuss cabinet portfolios and their allocation. We will also get the allocation vetted from national leaders of the BJP”.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also said that the cabinet expansion will be done soon and he would hold talks with the CM to discuss the distribution of ministerial portfolios.

(With Agency Inputs)