Devendra Fadnavis Set To Expand Cabinet On December 15 At Nagpur

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will expand his cabinet on December 15 at Nagpur, not on December 14 as initially planned. A senior BJP functionary confirmed that the swearing-in will occur at Raj Bhavan on the eve of the week-long winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature, which starts on December 16. Governor CP Radhakrishnan will administer the oath of office to new ministers.

BJP to Get 21 Ministers, Shiv Sena 12, and NCP 10

The MahaYuti partners have agreed on a formula for sharing cabinet positions. As per the arrangement, BJP will get 21 ministers, Shiv Sena 12, and NCP 10. This formula has been finalized based on the strength of the three parties. BJP holds 132 seats, Shiv Sena has 57, and NCP has 41. All 40 ministers from the three parties are expected to take the oath on December 15.

A BJP functionary mentioned that the party is still awaiting approval from central leadership for its list of ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to give approval on Saturday, after which the cabinet expansion will occur.

Discussions on Cabinet Expansion

State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule met with Deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Thursday evening to secure his consent for the swearing-in to take place on December 15. On Friday, Bawankule also met NCP chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for approval.

Earlier, Fadnavis and Bawankule held discussions with Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other senior BJP leaders. They also met Ajit Pawar to discuss the cabinet expansion. After the cabinet expansion, Fadnavis will host a tea meeting with cabinet colleagues and opposition parties. He will also chair a meeting to discuss the agenda, including Bills for the winter session.

Key Department Allocations

The BJP has rejected Shiv Sena’s demand for the home, revenue, and housing departments. BJP will retain home and revenue while giving housing to NCP, led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, fulfilling a promise made when Pawar joined the MahaYuti government in 2023.

The BJP will retain important departments like energy, irrigation, public works, rural development, and OBC welfare. Shiv Sena will continue to hold urban development, school education, public health, and water supply, among others. NCP will maintain planning, finance, agriculture, medical education, and women and child welfare. This cabinet expansion marks the second time in recent history that the swearing-in will take place in Nagpur. The last instance occurred in 1991 when Chhagan Bhujbal was sworn in as a minister in Sudhakarrao Naik’s cabinet.

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