Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion Tensions: Eknath Shinde Skips Delhi Amid Portfolio Disputes

Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion Tensions : Ahead of the much-awaited cabinet expansion in the Mahayuti government, Maharashtra’s political scenario has once again witnessed fresh turmoil – this time over Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde being dissatisfied with the portfolio he has been given. The BJP, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party, who are the three coalition partners to the government, are now said to be engaged in intense negotiations to finalize their ministerial allocations.

Shinde, who was eyeing the Home Ministry, skipped a scheduled visit to New Delhi on December 11, fuelling speculation that all was not well with him. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar arrived in the national capital, but for crucial discussions.

The BJP is likely to hold the Home Ministry, the most prominent portfolio in the alliance with 132 MLAs. It is learnt that Shinde is reportedly not happy about it. Sources say that other significant portfolios such as Revenue, Industries, and Housing have also been refused to the Shiv Sena camp.

The Shiv Sena feels the BJP is systematically downsizing its influence within the government,” a Shiv Sena leader said. To make matters more contentious, the NCP has been said to have staked claim to the Housing portfolio which was held by the BJP so far.

Shiv Sena insiders believe that the BJP and NCP are working in tandem to weaken their position within the Mahayuti coalition. The Public Works Department (PWD) and Urban Development (UD) ministries may go to the Shinde camp, but these allocations appear insufficient to quell the dissatisfaction brewing in the Shiv Sena ranks.

Shinde missing the Delhi meeting raised questions over whether the Mahayuti was united. The portfolio allocations were to be finalized at the meeting between Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar. But Shinde staying back in Mumbai has hinted at discord.

Cabinet Expansion Soon

The Maharashtra cabinet is currently made up of 43 ministries, with the Chief Minister’s post being one of them. It is reported that BJP will hold 20 ministries, and the Shiv Sena and NCP will have 10 portfolios each. Official cabinet expansion is scheduled on December 16, and the final allocation of portfolios may be announced prior to that date.

The coalition government, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, assumed office on December 5 in a grand oath-taking ceremony at the historic Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Deputy Chief Ministers Shinde and Pawar, along with several top leaders, took charge amidst significant fanfare.

However, brewing tensions over the portfolio allocation speak to the challenges inherent in a three-party coalition, where the Shiv Sena and NCP would like a larger share of representation, to say nothing of influence, if the BJP continues on its track of dominance. With Maharashtra political equilibrium hanging in the balance, the eyes are on whether the cabinet expansion works out without too much squabbling between the coalition partners.