Eknath Shinde wants home ministry, talks underway on portfolio allocation: Sena MLA

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde greets the gathering during his swearing-in ceremony, in Mumbai on December 5, 2024 | Photo credit: ANI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has asked the BJP for the crucial Home Ministry and talks on allocation of the portfolio are underway, Shiv Sena MP Bharat Gogavale said.

Mr Gogavale, an aide to Mr Shinde who heads the Shiv Sena, said on Friday (Dec 7, 2024) that the cabinet expansion would likely take place between December 11 and 16, just before the winter session of the legislature. the state.

The winter session of the legislature will begin in Nagpur, the second capital of the state, from December 16.

“When Devendra Fadnavis was Deputy Chief Minister (in the Shinde-led government), he also held the Home Ministry. Saheb (Mr. Shinde) demanded the house and talks (on portfolio allocation) are underway,” Mr. Gogavale said. said.

When asked to whom the request was addressed, Mr. Gogavale said it was probably Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The MP from Mahad in Raigad district maintained that attempts were being made to change the portfolios held by the Shiv Sena in the previous Mahayuti government.

Mr Gogavale hoped that discussions on portfolio allocation would be completed within the next two days.

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as chief minister for the third time on Thursday at a grand ceremony at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, while Shinde and Ajit Pawar (NCP) took oath as deputies.

Except for the three main Mahayuti politicians, no other leaders were sworn in during the ceremony.

The BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP are part of the Mahayuti coalition that won 230 seats in the 288-member Assembly in last month’s elections.