The 10-day-old Maharashtra government was expanded on Sunday – 39 MLAs from the ruling coalition took oath in Nagpur. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also indicated that the portfolio allocation will be announced in the next few days. Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has demanded at least one department for his party after being ‘rejected’ by the Mahayuti alliance.
“39 leaders have taken oath today… six of them are ministers of state. In two days it will become clear who will be given which department.
Meanwhile, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has indicated that some of the newly inducted ministers will hold their posts only for 2.5 years – their roles will eventually be handed over to other hopefuls. The NCP chief told a gathering of party workers in Nagpur, hours before the extension, that he would give “others a chance of two and a half years” during the current term.
“Despite being part of the Mahayuti alliance, I did not even get an invitation. Republican Party of India (A) performed well in the assembly elections. We held meetings with Fadnavis and he promised to allocate us at least one ministry. However, there is no representation of RPI(A) in this extension. We demand at least one ministry in the cabinet,” said Union Minister Athawale.
The cabinet expansion comes more than two weeks after CM Fadnavis and his two deputies were sworn in on December 5. The Mahayuti alliance was criticized by the opposition for delaying the announcement of its cabinet despite having a significant majority. The ceremony on Sunday also comes ahead of the abbreviated winter session of Parliament starting on Monday.
“Discussion on the Governor’s address in this session. 20 bills will come in this session. The opposition gave a letter. A paragraph on EVMs has been added to the letter of the last session. The letter has been replied to earlier also, answers will be given as often as questions are asked. I want to tell them that EVM means every vote for Maharashtra.
