Maharashtra: Extended BJP-led Mahayuti cabinet to take oath in Nagpur at 4 pm today

Several MLAs from the Shiv Sena and NCP are set to join the council of ministers as the alliance finalises its administrative lineup.

The BJP, which commands a significant portion of the cabinet positions, is introducing new members but will leave some of its 20 allocated seats vacant for future adjustments.

The Shiv Sena will see 13 MLAs sworn in, including Uday Samant, Shambhuraje Desai, Gulabrao Patil, Dada Bhuse, and Sanjay Rathod, who will retain their positions. Meanwhile, new entrants such as Sanjay Shirsat, Bharat Gogawale, Prakash Abitkar, Yogesh Kadam, Ashish Jaiswal, and Pratap Sarnaik from the Eknath Shinde-led faction are expected to join the cabinet, reported India Today.

However, notable leaders like Deepak Kesarkar, Tanaji Sawant, and Abdul Sattar are unlikely to return to ministerial roles.

The NCP, another key Mahayuti ally, will also have representatives inducted into the cabinet. Aditi Tatkare, Babasaheb Patil, Dattatray Bharane, Hasan Mushrif, and Narhari Zirwal are among those slated to take oath.

The BJP is likely to add prominent MLAs, including Nitesh Rane, Shivendra Raje, Girish Mahajan, Meghna Bordikar, Pankaja Munde, Jaykumar Rawal, and Mangal Prabhat Lodha, to the cabinet.

Despite its 20 allocated positions, the party intends to keep some slots open for future appointments.

Reports indicate that the BJP will retain the home ministry while transferring the housing ministry to the Shiv Sena as part of the cabinet expansion.

Sources further indicate that both the Shiv Sena and NCP will largely retain their previous portfolios, with the Shiv Sena gaining an additional ministry.

According to an NDTV report, Maharashtra's new Cabinet could comprise 40 ministers, with half of the positions expected to go to new and younger leaders.

The state’s council of ministers, including the Chief Minister, is capped at a maximum of 43 members.

Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Maharashtra's Chief Minister on December 5 and former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar as his deputies, following nearly two weeks of intense negotiations over the top post. With that settled, the Mahayuti alliance now faces the next major hurdle: the allocation of key ministries.

The Shinde-led Sena faction is keen on securing the coveted Home portfolio, which was previously held by Devendra Fadnavis, the report said.

However, the BJP is reportedly reluctant to relinquish control of this department. Instead, the Sena may be offered Urban Development, Public Works, and Revenue portfolios.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s NCP has demanded an equal share of cabinet positions, sources added.