Chicago November 28, 2024
As Maharashtra continues to struggle over selecting its next Chief Minister, the Mahayuti alliance partners are pushing for key positions in the new state Cabinet. A meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled for later today in Delhi to discuss the issue.
In the state Assembly elections on November 23, the Mahayuti alliance secured a strong victory, winning 230 out of 288 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led the charge with 132 seats, its highest-ever tally, while the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) won 57 seats, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, took 41 seats.
Following the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, he continues to serve as the caretaker CM and is reportedly seeking important portfolios for his party, including Urban Development and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Shinde is also expected to request a Cabinet position and a Minister of State role in the Centre.
Ajit Pawar is lobbying for the Finance Ministry and the Deputy Chief Minister position, though the BJP aims to retain control of the Finance and Planning ministries, calling them strategically vital.
The distribution of ministries is expected to follow a formula of one portfolio for every six MLAs. The BJP is likely to secure 21 to 22 ministries, while the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena is expected to get 10 to 12, and the NCP is set to receive 8 to 9. The total number of ministries in Maharashtra will be capped at 43, including the Chief Minister’s position.
