Fadnavis Cabinet Expanded: 39 Ministers Sworn In

Nagpur – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expanded his Cabinet with a grand swearing-in ceremony held in Nagpur. A total of 39 MLAs took the oath of office as ministers. The event marked a significant moment in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with representation from BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP in the expanded Cabinet.

According to sources, the BJP will retain critical departments such as Home, Revenue, Irrigation, and Punishment, despite Shiv Sena’s interest in the Home Department. The tenure of the newly appointed ministers is expected to be only two and a half years. Following the ceremony, the allocation of ministerial portfolios is likely to be finalized and announced by Sunday night.

Distribution of Ministerial Positions

Of the 39 newly sworn-in ministers, 19 are from the BJP, 11 from Shiv Sena, and 9 from the NCP. This allocation reflects the coalition dynamics within the Fadnavis-led government. Several prominent leaders from these parties have been inducted into the Cabinet, representing various regions, communities, and political factions across Maharashtra.

Notable Inductions

• Bharat Gogawale: Elected from Mahad in Raigad district, Gogawale represents the Kunbi community and is a key leader from the Shiv Sena faction.
• Pratap Sarnaik: A prominent leader of the Maratha community, Sarnaik has been consistently winning elections since 2009 and is a vital figure in Shiv Sena.
• Sanjay Shirsat: Representing Aurangabad West, Shirsat defeated a candidate from the Uddhav Thackeray faction and has now joined the Cabinet.
• Sanjay Savkare: A BJP leader and four-time MLA from Bhusawal, Savkare has been a reliable political figure since 2009.
• Narhari Zirwal: A senior tribal leader and former Deputy Speaker, Zirwal represents the Dindori constituency.

Representation from Diverse Communities

The new Cabinet also includes leaders from diverse communities, reflecting the government’s attempt to maintain a balance.

• Jayakumar Gore: Elected from Mann in Satara district, Gore adds representation for western Maharashtra.
• Manikrao Kokate: A four-time MLA from Sinnar in Nashik and a key Maratha community leader, Kokate has joined from the NCP quota.
• Shivendra Raje Bhosale: A descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bhosale was elected from Satara and represents the BJP.
• Aditi Tatkare: Daughter of veteran leader Sunil Tatkare, Aditi is a prominent figure in the Ajit Pawar camp and has been elected from Shrivardhan.

Prominent Leaders and Their Roles

Several experienced leaders have been retained in the Cabinet:

• Ashish Shelar: The Mumbai BJP president, Shelar, is known for his close association with Jai Shah.
• Shambhuraj Desai: A staunch supporter of Eknath Shinde, Desai was elected from the Patan constituency.
• Pankaja Munde: A former minister in the previous Fadnavis government, Munde brings a wealth of administrative experience.
• Jayakumar Rawal: A former minister and vice-president of Maharashtra BJP, Rawal represents the Shindkheda constituency.

Key Additions from Shiv Sena and NCP

• Uday Samant: A Shiv Sena leader elected from Ratnagiri, Samant strengthens the party’s representation in the Konkan region.
• Mangal Prabhat Lodha: Known as one of the richest legislators, Lodha hails from Rajasthan and represents Malabar Hill.
• Dhananjay Munde: A close associate of Ajit Pawar, Munde has been elected from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.

Other significant additions include Sanjay Rathore, Dada Bhuse, Ganesh Naik, Gulabrao Patil, Girish Mahajan, and Chandrakant Patil, all of whom bring substantial political clout and experience to the Cabinet.

Cabinet Dynamics

The coalition government has allocated key departments to maintain balance among the three parties. Shiv Sena will oversee Urban Development, Housing, Industry, Health, Transport, Tourism, IT, the Marathi Language, and the MSRDC departments. Meanwhile, the NCP will manage Finance, Cooperation, and Sports. The BJP retains critical portfolios such as Home, Revenue, Electricity, Higher and Technical Education, Medical Education, and Irrigation.

Controversies and Resignations

The Cabinet expansion has not been without controversies. Shiv Sena leader Narendra Bhondekar resigned from his position as Deputy Leader of the Vidhan Sabha before the swearing-in ceremony, reportedly due to dissatisfaction over not being offered a ministerial post.

A Milestone in Maharashtra Politics

The Fadnavis government’s Cabinet expansion highlights the coalition’s attempts to address diverse regional and community-based aspirations while consolidating power within the alliance. This expansion marks a pivotal moment, with new leaders taking charge to address the state’s developmental challenges.

As the government moves forward, all eyes are on the newly inducted ministers and their performance in steering Maharashtra toward progress.