E-Paper
Maharashtra cabinet expansion: Pune MLAs Chandrakant Patil and Madhuri Misal in race for cabinet berth
Maharashtra cabinet expansion is likely to take place at 11 am on Tuesday at Maharashtra Raj Bhavan, sources said on Monday
Maharashtra cabinet expansion is likely to take place at 11 am on Tuesday at Maharashtra Raj Bhavan, sources said on Monday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is expected to expand his cabinet this week by inducting at least 15 ministers and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to keep the crucial home portfolio.
Notably, both the ministers have been functioning as a two-member cabinet, inviting criticism from Opposition leaders, including NCP leader and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.
Two city MLAs from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chandrakant Patil and Madhuri Misal are in the race for a ministerial berth.
Patil is BJPs state unit president and is close to the central leadership. He might get a chance in the cabinet with a good portfolio, said political experts.
Shinde and Fadnavis will ensure that at least one woman would be admitted in the cabinet. Parvati MLA Misal is a three-time MLA of the party and in charge for Pimpri-Chinchwad. Her name was in a race in the last BJP government which ruled in 2014-2019. While party candidates have pinned their hopes on Misal getting a ministerial berth, BJP leaders from Pune are doubtful if the government will give portfolios to two ministers from Pune city, observed political experts.
Both Patil and Misal were unavailable to comment, until the final list is out.
Other BJP workers also refrained from commenting. Requesting anonymity a party leader said, “The party is known to surprise others with its decision. With changes taking place by the hour, one cannot name a particular candidate who is in the running. It is better to wait for final list.”
