CM Fadnavis to get Union berth?

Mumbai: In the wake of talks about a possible Cabinet expansion at the Centre, speculation is rife in Maharashtra about a reshuffle in the state ministry. According to some, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis might be asked join the Union Cabinet while a few state ministers could lose their posts and new ones are likely to be inducted in Maharashra. Also, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is keen on conducting the Assembly polls alongside the Lok Sabha elections. However, the BJP declined to comment on the issue officially.

In the Monsoon Session of the Legislature, two ministers — Prakash Mehta and Subhash Desai — faced corruption allegations. Bowing to pressure, Mr Fadnavis announced separate inquiries against the two. Both the ministers offered their resignations, which the CM refused to accept. He has said that the decision would be taken only after the inquiry committee report is out. Mr Desai is a member of BJP ally Shiv Sena and his party chief has supported him over the issue. However, the sources in the BJP said that if a Cabinet expansion happens, a few ‘tainted’ ministers might stand to lose.

BJP spokesperson and leaders, however, have refused to comment on the issue officially, terming it too “speculative”.

Also, Mr Fadnavis, who has managed to maintain his image, might be given chance at the Centre. The expansion in Delhi would be conducted keeping in mind the Lok Sabha polls after one and a half years, sources said. This has sparked speculation once again about revenue minister Chandrakant Patil and finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar as potential replacements for Mr Fadnavis.

BJP sources said that the party is also looking into possibility of conducting Assembly polls alongside the general elections if things go the right way in Maharashtra. “It depends a lot on things such as rainfall and the loan waiver distribution. The party is observing things and the decision would be taken at the right time,” a senior BJP leader said, on condition of anonymity. The chief minister’s loan waiver decision is a major relief for the party, and its leaders want to capitalise on it if elections are to be held early.