Even after three weeks of victory of the Mahayuti alliance in the assembly elections of Maharashtra, the problem of the distribution of cabinet portfolios is still unresolved between the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP. During the inconclusive strike, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid a visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. This meeting has come in the wake of pressure from the alliance partners who want the central BJP leaders to wade into resolving the outstanding issues for them.
Fadnavis also met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda late Wednesday night, along with Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. They centred on state disputes regarding fundamental ministries that have hindered the conclusion of the Maharashtra cabinet. Nevertheless, the incumbent S.S. leader, Eknath Shinde, who is stated to be unsatisfied with the current facilities, did not join the delegation to Delhi, and there are doubts regarding his participation in the current negotiations.
Thus, preliminary settlements have been made regarding the distribution of 43 cabinet seats, including the Chief Minister. The BJP is expected to get 22 berths, while Shiv Sena and NCP will get 11 and 10 berths in the new Maharashtra government. However, directions in a shift of this distribution remain possible. BJP sources indicate that if Shiv Sena and NCP demand more posts they may be offered positions which are less powerful. While the BJP is expected to hold on to important portfolios such as the Home and Revenue, Urban Development is to go to the Shiv Sena, and Finance is to be shared by NCP.
The Shiv Sena first demanded when Eknath Shinde took the party to victory he should continue to be the Chief Minister. However, the BJP will not agree to a Chief Minister other than Fadnavis since the BJP occupies more seats in the partnership. Shinde agreed to take the position of deputy chief minister, but either he did not go to the cabinet or did not actively participate in discussions about it; thus, his further commitment is questionable.
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