Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: BJP to induct 25 ministers, 13 by CM Shinde’s Sena

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jul 7, 2022 | Dhupali Das

Reportedly, most of the ministers will be new, except CM Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis...

Digital Desk: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will have 25 MLAs in the new Maharashtra cabinet, while chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Sena will have 13 MLAs, as per reports. Reportedly, most of the ministers will be new, except CM Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis.

While assuming responsibility for his position at the state secretariat Mantralaya on Thursday, newly appointed CM Shinde met with his cabinet earlier in the day.

Before Shinde took charge, a pooja was done in the chief minister’s beautifully decorated office. His chamber included a big portrait of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and a picture of Shinde’s guru Anand Dighe next to it. Moreover,  Shinde offered floral tributes to Dr. B R Ambedkar and Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as soon as he arrived at the secretariat building.

Deepak Kesarkar, the spokesperson for the Shinde-led MLA side, told reporters that Bal Thackeray was no one’s property.

When asked about the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction’s opposition to the Shinde group using the late Sena founder’s name and image, he replied, “Balasaheb belongs to the entire state, and nobody can change this fact.

Speaking about Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, Kesarkar said, “Raut is closer to Sharad Pawar; I don’t know about Uddhavji. When I realized that the Shiv Sena is facing problems in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA- comprising the Sena, NCP and Congress), I tried to convince Uddhavji. I have never met him for a ministerial post.”

“He had already told me in 2014 that he had to give Sena politicians who had collaborated with Balasaheb first priority before he could consider me for a cabinet minister. I appreciate Uddhavji because of that,” he stated.

Kesarkar also criticized the Shiv Sena’s decision to remove Bhavana Gawali as the party’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha.

“By doing this, you are demeaning women. She has served as an MP five times and has raised the Shiv Sena flag,” he added.

On Wednesday, Rajan Vichare was nominated by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction to succeed Gawali as the party’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha.