Maharashtra Cabinet portfolio distribution in two days, says CM Fadnavis

The portfolio distribution is likely to undergo heavy negotiations, especially on the background that several key ministers from the previous Mahayuti government have been dropped from Sunday’s cabinet expansion.

From the BJP, former forest minister Sudhir Mungatiwar, tribal development minister Vijayakumar Gavit, labour minister Suresh Khade, public works department minister Ravindra Chavan have been dropped. From Shiv Sena, public health department minister Tanaji Sawant, school education minister Deepak Kesarkar and minority development minister Abdul Sattar have been dropped.

Former EGS minister Sandipan Bhumare was elected to Lok Sabha and his portfolio is also vacant. From the NCP, food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal, cooperation minister Dilip Walse-Patil, relief and rehabilitation minister Anil Patil, youth and sports department minister Sanjay Bansode and food and drugs administration department minister Dharmarao Atram were dropped.

“We worked on giving an all inclusive ministerial council. We have given representation of all communities, women and regions. As far as the BJP is concerned, we have decided to give new responsibility to those who have been dropped,” Fadnavis said. Apart from portfolio distribution, the issue of allotting district Guardian ministers is also pending. Fadnavis said that it is not an urgent matter and it will be dealt in the due course of time.

According to sources, all three parties will engage in negotiations over the key portfolios.

Prior to the expansion of the state cabinet, leaders of Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party, already held discussions on key portfolios like Home, Urban Development Department, Revenue and Housing. Eknath Shinde led Sena was earlier keen on Home department while NCP is seeking Housing as well as Industries.

Fadnavis also assured that the government will not muzzle the Opposition based on number strength. “We will not muzzle the voice of Opposition and will not back down from any discussion. We expect that unlike Lok Sabha, Opposition should be speak inside the house and not only in front of the media,” he said.

The Opposition on Sunday boycotted the tea-party organised on the eve of winter session of the state legislature. In a letter it sent to the government, it raised the issues of allegations of malpractices regarding the use of EVMs, violence in Parbhani over the desecration of the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar followed by combing operation by police and murder of a sarpanch in Beed district which has taken a casteist angle.

“The opposition is trying to create a narrative regarding EVM. But I want to tell them that, EVM means Every Vote for Magnetic Maharashtra and that is our government. We will strive to fulfill that,” Fadnavis said.

He replied on allegations of opposition on incidents in Parbhani and Beed. “An SIT has been formed regarding Beed incident. No accused will go scot free. No matter who the accused is. The SIT will probe and every angle will be solved,” said Fadnavis.

He mentioned that a mentally unstable person desecrated the statue. “This government considers pride of constitution as supreme. We will not do a single act against the Constitution and we will also keep it highest regard,” he said, adding that the violent protests held after the incident are not permitted in constitution and no individual involved in stone pelting, vandalising will be spared.