Devendra Fadnavis meets PM Modi amid Maharashtra cabinet impasse | Latest news India

December 12, 2024 at 1:50 p.m. IST

Maharashtra’s Mahayuti alliance is yet to finalize the ministerial portfolios between the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP, three weeks after the election results.

Nearly three weeks after winning a majority in the Maharashtra assembly elections, the Mahayuti alliance is yet to distribute ministerial portfolios among the three alliance partners – the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP. Days after Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting comes as all three parties seek intervention from the BJP central leaders to resolve the remaining contentious issue.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

On Wednesday evening, Fadnavis and his deputy Ajit Pawar held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP leader JP Nadda. Disputes over some cabinet departments persist, prompting the leaders’ visit to Delhi. But an upset Eknath Shinde chose not to join the trip.

According to sources, Fadnavis, Shinde and Ajit Pawar agreed on a distribution of 22 ministerial posts for the BJP, 11 for Shiv Sena and 10 for the NCP. The maximum number of ministerial posts in Maharashtra, including the chief minister, is 43.

The distribution of places may still change. According to BJP leaders, if Shiv Sena and NCP demand more posts, they are likely to be given smaller portfolios. Major portfolios, including housing and revenue, are expected to remain in the hands of the BJP. While Shinde had lobbied for the Home Ministry, he has been given urban development and the finance portfolio will go to the NCP.

Absence of Eknath Shinde

The Sena initially argued that the electoral victory was achieved under Shinde’s leadership, insisting that he should remain chief minister. However, the BJP held on, pushing Fadnavis to retain the top spot. Mr Shinde had limited leverage, with the BJP needing only the support of the NCP to secure a majority. Publicly, Mr. Shinde said he would not block the formation of the government and was sworn in as deputy chief minister on December 5. However, his current absence from the capital has raised questions in political circles, and it remains unclear whether he will join the discussions. in Delhi.

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