Delay in Maharashtra cabinet expansion a shame, says Aaditya Thackeray

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday slammed the MahaYuti for failing to expand the cabinet more than a week after CM Devendra Fadnavis took oath along with DCMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde. In the absence of a full-fledged cabinet and even in the absence of distribution of portfolios among DCMs, all portfolios belong to CM Fadnavis, and so far Shinde and Pawar do not have any departments with them. The results of the State Assembly polls were announced on November 23 and officials said the government was virtually at a standstill as portfolios had not even been allocated to DCMs and the cabinet had not not been expanded. Sena MP (UBT) Aaditya Thackeray called the delay a “disgrace”.
“Firstly, after the absolutely clear mandate given by the Election Commission, it took them more than 10 days to decide on the choice of a CM and form the government. Now they are taking the time to determine who will have how many ministers. Then we will see a fight for wallets. The greed for power of BJP-led politicians stops at nothing. Serving the people can wait, first, for the thirst for power of these perfidious politicians. What a shame,” Aaditya said in an article on X.
Sena MP (UBT) Sanjay Raut also slammed the MahaYuti for the delay in cabinet expansion. “Some people might have a heart attack during cabinet expansion. Ambulances must be kept ready. No one asks Eknath Shinde now. The question of his discontent or happiness is over for Delhi. Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and the MLAs accompanying them are like puppets and have become slaves. Slaves cannot speak the language of rebellion, said Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, they must sacrifice for their rights. But that courage is not part of it,” Raut said.
DCM Ajit Pawar on Thursday announced that the cabinet expansion of the Maharashtra government would take place on Saturday. “Cabinet expansion in Maharashtra will take place on December 14,” Pawar said while speaking to reporters after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
On the allocation of ministerial posts to the BJP, CM Fadnavis told reporters, “In our party, decisions are taken by the parliamentary board and our senior leaders. As for the appointment of ministers from the BJP quota, we will decide that. Similarly, the NCP and Shiv Sena will decide the names of their ministers at their level. The formula for expanding the cabinet has already been decided.