Maharashtra Cabinet expansion post June 20

Bowing down to pressure from party members and alliance partners, the BJP-led state government will carry out its first Cabinet expansion likely to take place after June 20. As part of this exercise, seven to eight new members will be inducted and departments will be reshuffled after senior minister Eknath Khadse’s exit on corruption charges. Shiv Sena, however, said that it was unaware about the expansion plan as the party had not yet received any such proposal from the BJP.

BJP plans to hold its state executive meeting on June 18 and 19 in Pune after which the Cabinet expansion will take place, said a senior cabinet leader. “We are expecting seven to eight new faces this time. The departments, which were earlier with Mr Khadse, will be distributed during expansion. The chief minister is yet to take a final call on the issue,” he said.

With two out of the eight berths belonging to Sena, the party will have to decide on who to include in the state Cabinet. However, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray denied knowledge of any such plans. “I have not received any proposal regarding Cabinet expansion,” he told reporters. At present, Sena has four Cabinet ministers and one state minister.

BJP’s other alliance partners — Mahadeo Jankar of Rashtriya Samaj Paksha and Sadabhau Khot of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana — are likely to get state ministerial berths. Earlier this month, Mr Khot was made member of the Legislative Council with support from BJP.

With BJP getting four ministries for expansion, the party wants to give young members a chance. Names of MLAs Jaykumar Rawal, Sanjay Kute and Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar have come up in discussions about Cabinet expansion. Also, senior leader and MLC Pandurang Phundkar may be inducted into the Cabinet, sources revealed.

After Mr Khadse’s resignation, the post of leader of Legislative Council is also vacant. Sources said that education minister Vinod Tawde is eyeing the post, however, it may be given to senior minister Chandrakant Patil who is already a member of the House.

Mr Patil, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Girish Mahajan and Girish Bapat are some of the names being discussed for the revenue department post. While most ministers have denied taking responsibility for the controversial department while speaking to media persons, sources said a few are keen on taking charge, but not admitting it openly. “It is also possible that the chief minister himself may keep the important department,” said a source.