Unsatisfied with the allocation of key departments ahead of the cabinet expansion in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday skipped a visit to New Delhi. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar arrived in the national capital on Wednesday afternoon.
“A formal meeting of the three leaders – Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar – was to be held in Delhi. The meeting was to formalize the power-sharing formula and the ministers and departments each party would get,” said a top source in the grand alliance.
A senior Shiv Sena leader, requesting anonymity, said, “The Shiv Sena believes that the BJP is systematically working to reduce its power within the government. They will not only deny Shinde the home ministry, but also the revenue, industries and housing portfolios that the party has demanded in the new government. Don’t agree.”
Besides, the NCP’s claim on the housing portfolio held by the BJP in the last government has also irked Shinde. “Shinde not only gave up the chief minister’s post, but also agreed to press for the important home portfolio,” a source said.
The Shiv Sena believes that the BJP and the NCP are working together to weaken their power in the Mahayuti government, the source added. The Shiv Sena believes it has a rightful claim on revenue and urban development after the CM quits, something the BJP does not want to accept. The BJP has suggested that the Shiv Sena should be placed on urban development or revenue.
Downplaying the differences within the grand alliance over portfolios, a BJP source said, “Fadnavis had plans to visit Delhi. After becoming CM, he met President Draupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Transport, Roads and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule is with Fadnavis.
On December 5, Fadnavis took oath as Chief Minister with Shinde and Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister.
Cabinet expansion is likely to take place on December 16. Permission has been granted to 43 ministers including the Chief Minister. With the number of candidates increasing, all the three parties – BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP – are driving hard bargaining.
Although the formal structure has been prepared, the leaders of Mahayuti have complained about departmentalism in their meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
The BJP, which has 132 MLAs, has sought 21 ministers (including the chief minister). Shiv Sena, which has 57 MLAs, is likely to get 12 ministers. And NCP 41 ministers, 10. However, the Shiv Sena is insisting on at least 13 ministers and the Speaker of the State Legislative Council.