After the Supreme Court scheduled to hear a clutch of petitions filed over the formation of the Eknath Shinde led government on August 1, sources have revealed that the state cabinet expansion is likely to take place post this hearing.
Meanwhile, it has come to light that the expansion will take place on July 29, or after August 2. Though the Shinde camp and the BJP have decided on a power-sharing formula, the list of the names to be inducted into the cabinet is yet to be finalised, said BJP leader.
Clarifying on the reports doing rounds of dispute over allocation of portfolios, the delay is mainly because of the SC hearing, as the uncertainty over a few issues, including disqualification of the MLAs and right to issue whip during the confidence motion, looms large.
Sources further mentioned that it has always been clear that the Shinde camp will get 16 berths, including CM, while BJP will get 27 departments.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is keen on keeping home and finance, while [Sudhir] Mungantiwar may get revenue and Chandrakant Patil is expected to be made public works department minister. However, the final list will be released by the BJP’s central leadership.
On the other hand, Shinde camp’s spokesperson Deepak Kesarkar, however, said the delay had nothing to do with the SC hearing. “The top court has not stopped us from the expansion. We have to do it at the earliest and it may take place in the next few days.”
Besides, with the delay in cabinet expansion, the monsoon session is also expected to be delayed. An official from the state legislature said the session is expected to be held in the third week of August.
For those unversed, Shinde and Fadnavis were sworn in on June 30, a day after Uddhav Thackeray resigned as the CM. Since then, the duo has been taking major decisions related to all the departments.
Also Read: Maharashtra Political Saga: "Does a two-man government look good?" Ajit Pawar
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