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Amid ongoing negotiations over ministerial portfolios,Maharashtra’s ruling coalition partners—the BJP,Shiv Sena,and NCP—have sought guidance from central BJP leaders in Delhi to resolve lingering disputes. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar traveled to the capital on Wednesday for a two-day visit to address thes contentious issues, while Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde opted to stay behind, reportedly dissatisfied with the current allocation of departments.
The three parties have already agreed on the distribution of ministerial berths, with 22 going to the BJP, 11 to the Shiv Sena, and 10 to the NCP. However, disagreements persist over the allocation of key portfolios, prompting Fadnavis and Pawar to seek intervention from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J.P. Nadda.
According to sources within the BJP, the party has secured control of the Home and Revenue departments, while the Finance portfolio has been allocated to the NCP. Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, who had been lobbying for the Home department, was instead assigned the Urban Progress portfolio. This decision has reportedly left Shinde dissatisfied, as he had also sought control over departments such as Revenue, Public Works, Housing, and Energy.
“apart from the urban development department, he was offered no other important portfolio. He was keen on a few departments—revenue, public works, including MSRDC, housing and energy—but the BJP did not accept the demand.”
A close aide of Eknath Shinde
Adding to Shinde’s frustration is the BJP’s condition that he remove leaders from his party who were implicated in corruption charges during the previous administration.This demand has further strained relations between the coalition partners.
Cabinet Expansion on Hold
The Mahayuti alliance, as the coalition is known, is working to finalize the cabinet before the winter session of the Maharashtra legislature begins on December 16. However, unresolved disputes over portfolio allocations have delayed the process. After thier meetings in Delhi, Fadnavis and Pawar are expected to convene with Shinde in Mumbai on Thursday to hammer out the final list of ministers to be sworn in on Saturday.
A BJP leader noted that while the three key departments—Home, Urban Development, and Finance—have been tentatively settled, minor adjustments may still be made. “Apart from home and revenue, the BJP is expected to retain housing and water resources. The NCP may get the cooperation department, while discussion on the agriculture department is ongoing,” the leader said.
As the coalition navigates these challenges, the stakes are high for maintaining stability in Maharashtra’s political landscape. The outcome of these negotiations will not only determine the distribution of power within the cabinet but also shape the future of governance in the state.
Stay tuned for updates as the Mahayuti alliance continues its efforts to finalize the cabinet and address the concerns of its coalition partners.
Power-Sharing Talks Between BJP and Shiv Sena Progress Amid Cabinet Expansion Plans
Political negotiations in Maharashtra are heating up as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena finalize plans for a cabinet expansion. The Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is set to retain key portfolios such as excise and public works department (PWD), mirroring their control in the previous Mahayuti government.
Uday Samant, a senior Shiv Sena leader and former minister, confirmed that the party has granted Shinde full authority to negotiate the power-sharing agreement.”He had a very detailed meeting with Devendra Fadnavis on Monday night,” Samant said. “The discussion is moving very positively.”
According to a senior Sena leader, the party is seeking 13 ministerial berths and expects to secure at least 12, with the remaining nine potentially going to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). “The NCP is also pushing for additional berths, but in that case, the BJP coudl ask them and even the Sena to settle for comparatively insignificant departments,” the leader explained.
A BJP leader revealed that the cabinet expansion could take place as early as December 14, though the exact number of ministers to be sworn in remains uncertain. “Ideally, it should have been with over 30 additional ministers, but in the given situation, just 15 or 18 ministers (five to six from each side) could take oath in the first expansion,” the leader said. “The Shiv sena is in a tussle with the BJP about the names to be inducted; it is indeed unwilling to drop the tainted ministers from the last cabinet as insisted on by the BJP. Secondly, there are a couple of departments like PWD and agriculture that have been claimed by at least two of the three parties.”
An NCP leader noted that the primary conflict lies between the BJP and the Shiv Sena. “our party has agreed to the berths offered and the names of those to be inducted also have been finalized,” he said.
Fadnavis, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister, is prioritizing the induction of the maximum number of legislators from the three parties to ensure smooth functioning during the winter session. Shinde is scheduled to hold a thanksgiving rally in Nagpur on Friday following his return from Delhi. A BJP leader stated that the swearing-in ceremony could take place on Saturday, but if not, it may be postponed until after the winter session concludes on December 21.
The ongoing negotiations highlight the complex dynamics of coalition politics in Maharashtra, where power-sharing agreements often hinge on mutual compromises and strategic concessions. As the parties inch closer to finalizing the cabinet, the focus remains on balancing political ambitions with governance needs.
What’s Next for Maharashtra’s Political Landscape?
The outcome of these negotiations will not only shape the immediate future of Maharashtra’s government but also set the stage for future political alliances. With the winter session looming, the pressure is on for all parties to reach a consensus and ensure a stable administration.
Stay tuned for updates as the power-sharing talks continue and the cabinet expansion unfolds.
In the midst of Maharashtra’s complex coalition politics, the BJP, Shiv sena, and NCP are working to finalize cabinet portfolios and ensure a stable administration. With key leaders like Devendra Fadnavis and ajit Pawar heading to Delhi for resolution, and Eknath Shinde expressing dissatisfaction, the stakes are high for the state’s political future. We sat down with Dr. Rajesh Mehta, a renowned political analyst and expert on Maharashtra’s political dynamics, to discuss the ongoing negotiations and their implications.
The Current State of Negotiations
Senior Editor: Dr. Mehta, thank you for joining us today. The ongoing negotiations between the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP seem to be at a critical juncture. Can you give us an overview of where things stand right now?
Dr. rajesh Mehta: Certainly. the coalition partners have made meaningful progress in terms of ministerial berths, with 22 going to the BJP, 11 to the Shiv Sena, and 10 to the NCP. However, the real challenge lies in the allocation of key portfolios. Disagreements over departments like Home, Revenue, and Finance have prompted Fadnavis and Pawar to seek intervention from central BJP leaders in Delhi.
Eknath Shinde’s Dissatisfaction
senior Editor: We’ve heard reports of Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde being dissatisfied with the current allocation. Can you elaborate on this?
Dr. Rajesh Mehta: Yes, Shinde was reportedly hoping to secure control over the Home department, but was instead assigned the Urban development portfolio. This decision has left him frustrated, as he was also keen on departments like Revenue, Public Works, Housing, and Energy. Additionally, the BJP’s condition that he remove leaders implicated in corruption charges has further strained relations between the coalition partners.
The Road Ahead for Maharashtra’s Government
Senior Editor: What does the future hold for maharashtra’s political landscape as these negotiations continue?
Dr. Rajesh Mehta: The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial not only for the immediate stability of Maharashtra’s government but also for future political alliances. With the winter session of the legislature begining on December 16, there is significant pressure on all parties to reach a consensus and ensure a smooth functioning administration. The focus remains on balancing political ambitions with the needs of governance.
Final Thoughts
Senior Editor: Dr. Mehta, thank you for your insights. As we wrap up, what final thoughts would you like to share with our readers?
Dr. Rajesh Mehta: The ongoing negotiations highlight the complexities of coalition politics in Maharashtra. It’s a delicate dance where power-sharing agreements often hinge on mutual compromises and strategic concessions. As the parties inch closer to finalizing the cabinet, the focus must remain on ensuring a stable and effective administration that can address the needs of the people of Maharashtra.
Senior Editor: Thank you,Dr. Mehta. We will certainly stay tuned for updates as these power-sharing talks continue and the cabinet expansion unfolds.
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