39 New Ministers Sworn In: 19 BJP, 11 Shinde Sena, 9 Ajit Pawar NCP
In a major cabinet expansion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with his deputy ministers, inducted 39 new ministers into the state government. The event took place at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur on Sunday, just one day before the winter session of the state assembly. Among the 39 new ministers, 19 are from the BJP, 11 from the Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde), and 9 from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar.
Several Senior Ministers Dropped
The expansion saw the removal of several senior leaders from the previous cabinet. Key figures like NCP’s Chhagan Bhujbal, Shiv Sena’s Deepak Kesarkar, and BJP’s Sudhir Mungantiwar were dropped for various reasons. The primary factors behind their removal were non-performance in their respective departments and controversies surrounding their actions. Bhujbal, for instance, faced criticism for his handling of the Shiv Bhojan scheme, a subsidized meal initiative that failed to make a significant impact.
New Faces and Fresh Leadership
The cabinet expansion brought in several new faces, including 8 first-time ministers. Notable among them are Nitesh Rane (son of former CM Narayan Rane), Pankaj Bhoyar from Wardha, and Meghna Bordikar from Parbhani. These new leaders are seen as part of Fadnavis’s strategy to create a new generation of leadership. BJP’s Ganesh Naik, a former NCP minister, was also brought in, highlighting the party’s focus on experience and regional representation.
Political Bargaining and Cabinet Planning
The cabinet reshuffle had been delayed due to political bargaining, with Shinde’s Shiv Sena requesting specific portfolios after Fadnavis agreed to relinquish the Chief Minister’s position. Leaders from all three parties were keen to accommodate regional aspirations and ensure that each district was well-represented. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar confirmed that the reshuffling aimed at rotating cabinet positions every 2.5 years, ensuring wider representation across districts.
Controversies and Performance Concerns
Several leaders were dropped due to controversies or underwhelming performance. For example, Shiv Sena’s Tanaji Sawant, who had criticized the government and made controversial statements about his colleagues, was removed. Similarly, Abdul Sattar, a prominent Muslim leader in Shiv Sena, faced criticism for his handling of local issues. BJP’s Mungantiwar was also ousted after losing his Lok Sabha seat.
Future Plans and Leadership Changes
Despite dropping seasoned leaders, Fadnavis retained five key ministers from the previous cabinet, including Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Girish Mahajan. The reshuffle is seen as an effort to bring in a mix of experienced hands and fresh talent to strengthen governance. The new cabinet is expected to address key regional issues and create a balance between old and new leadership.
