‘Cabinet expansion soon,’ says Eknath Shinde amid symbol tussle with Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis are the only two members of the state cabinet as of now.

Published on: Aug 6, 2022, 08:19:33 IST

By HT News Desk

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Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, whose rebellion toppled the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and replaced Uddhav Thackeray more than a month ago, has yet again said that his cabinet will have new members soon. Talks about the expansion of the state's new cabinet have been brewing since Shinde and his deputy, Devendra Fadnavis, took oath. They are currently the only members of the state cabinet.

File photo: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde at Maharashtra Sadan, in New Delhi. (ANI Photo)

On Friday evening, Shinde was seen leaving Fadnavis' residence in Mumbai. "The cabinet expansion will be done soon. The Prime Minister has organised a program in Delhi for which Devendra Fadnavis is going to Delhi tomorrow," the Maharashtra chief minister was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Another member of the rebel Shiv Sena camp told news agency PTI that the much-awaited cabinet expansion will take place before August 15. The two leaders took oath on June 30 and became the only members of the new government amid an ongoing tussle over who will be the Sena chief – Thackeray, who currently holds the post, or Shinde, who swept majority in the state assembly and has the support of more than half of party leaders.

Former minister Uday Samant, who is a spokesperson of the Sena's rebel faction led by Shinde, said that the guardian ministers will hoist the tricolour in their respective districts on Independence Day. Guardian ministers are appointed to look after development plans and related affairs of each district. It is an additional responsibility given to members of the council of ministers.

The opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), on the other hand, has been slamming the Shinde government over the delay in cabinet expansion and asked if it was not getting the right 'muhurat' (auspicious occasion) to undertake the exercise.

Shinde and Thackeray camps are also locked in a bitter fight over party symbol even as Shinde said he did not “need an election symbol to get elected by people”.

The Election Commission has asked both factions to submit documents by Monday in support of their claims on Shiv Sena's election symbol - bow and arrow - for laying claim on their political outfit.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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