Even as newly sworn ministers of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar were allotted bungalows and cabins on Tuesday, the portfolio allotment is likely to be delayed due to dispute over those promised to the NCP. On Monday night, the trio of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar held a meeting at the CM’s official residence Varsha. The meeting lasted till 2.30 am Tuesday. According to sources, the meeting was held to finalise the reshuffle of the state cabinet as swearing in of the NCP ministers will lead to several existing ministers losing their portfolios. “The deliberations continue as few ministers from the BJP and the Shiv Sena will have to give up on their portfolios which will be given to the NCP. Naturally, certain disagreements arose. These are not serious but have to be addressed,” a leader from the NCP said on the condition of anonymity. Sena ministers have already voiced their concerns over Ajit Pawar being given the Finance portfolio. During the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, these MLAs had blamed Pawar for denying them funds while quitting the Uddhav Thackeray– led Shiv Sena and bring down the government. Pawar is adamant on the finance portfolio. Among the other portfolios being discussed include state excise, women and child welfare, tourism, social justice, food and civil supplies, food and drug administration, youth welfare and sports. Industries Minister Uday Samant on Monday had claimed that the cabinet expansion and portfolio distribution will take place in 72 hours. Sources within the Sena have been claiming that portfolio distribution is unlikely to take place before cabinet expansion. Meanwhile, four senior NCP ministers — Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse- Patil, Hasan Mushrif and Dhananjay Munde — have been given bungalows in front of Mantralaya while three others namely Anil Patil, Sanjay Bansode and Dharmaraobaba Atram have been given the residence at Suruchi building near Mantralaya.
