The names of the CM and both deputy CMs are almost finalised
Mumbai: In the midst of uncertainty regarding the next chief minister of Maharashtra, attention has turned to the distribution of significant cabinet positions within the state. According to sources, the ruling Mahayuti alliance has established a formula of 21-12-10 for the composition of the Maharashtra cabinet. In this arrangement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as the predominant party, is set to obtain 21 ministerial positions, while the Eknath Shinde faction will receive 12, and the Ajit Pawar faction will be allocated 10.
Nevertheless, a pivotal issue persists — which party will gain control over the most powerful portfolios, such as finance, home affairs, and general administration? These departments are deemed essential for sustaining administrative authority and political influence.
Reports suggest that the BJP is asserting its claim to all three of these critical departments. In the previous term of the Mahayuti government, Ajit Pawar held the finance minister position and utilized it to extend substantial financial support to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislators, which reportedly led to dissatisfaction among MLAs from the BJP and the Shinde faction.
BJP is eager to assume control of the finance ministry
In the upcoming term, the BJP is eager to assume control of the finance ministry. This strategy would enable the BJP to oversee the state’s financial management, including the execution of significant initiatives such as the Ladki Bahin Yojana — a welfare program that played a crucial role in the electoral success of the Mahayuti alliance. As part of its pre-election commitments, the government is now obligated to disburse Rs 2,100 per month to eligible women under this scheme. This obligation is anticipated to exert considerable pressure on the state’s treasury, highlighting the necessity for a capable finance minister to navigate the fiscal challenges effectively. While the BJP is determined to secure the finance portfolio, Ajit Pawar’s faction may be offered either the revenue or public works department as compensation.
The home ministry, a crucial department, was previously overseen by Devendra Fadnavis during the last term. However, the escalating crime rates and a surge in violence against women have drawn significant criticism, rendering the portfolio contentious. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the home ministry remains strategically essential for upholding law and order and for exerting influence over political adversaries. There is considerable speculation regarding whether Fadnavis will continue to lead the home ministry.
A pivotal meeting is scheduled in Delhi on Thursday, where the chief minister and key ministerial portfolios for Maharashtra are expected to be finalized. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Fadnavis, Shinde, Pawar, and senior leader Praful Patel, will be part of the discussions. This meeting has captured the attention of the entire state, as the outcomes will significantly influence the power dynamics of the Mahayuti government in the upcoming term.
The distribution of portfolios will not only establish the internal power balance within the Mahayuti but will also determine the government’s capacity to tackle urgent economic issues and political rivalries. With Maharashtra’s financial situation under close examination and the political landscape within the alliance being intricate, all eyes are on Delhi to observe how the BJP, the Shinde faction, and Ajit Pawar’s camp maneuver through this critical juncture.
