Cong to induct 6 new faces in Maha cabinet

At least six new Congressmen are expected to make it to the Maharashtra cabinet on Friday, when the council of ministers will be expanded.

At least six new Congressmen are expected to make it to the Maharashtra cabinet on Friday, when the council of ministers will be expanded.

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“The list of ministers was finalised after consulting all involved. Swearing-in will happen on Friday,” said chief minister Prithviraj Chavan.

According to Congress sources, Chavan got approval for inclusion of deputy speaker of assembly Madhukar Chavan (Tulajapur), Hussain Dalwai (Mumbai-Konkan, member of upper house), Sanjay Deotale (Bhadravati), Vinayak Nimhan (Pune) and DP Sawant (Nanded). Deotale, Nimhan and Sawant will become ministers of state while others will get the cabinet rank.

Madhukar Chavan, a veteran Congressman, had to settle for the deputy speaker’s post, even though he had demanded a change this time around. A senior leader will replace him.

Former minister Dalwai, who is included in the new cabinet, is being awarded for his organisational work.

A low-profile Deotale has been unlucky despite being a three-time MLA, while Nimhan comes as Narayan Rane’s supporter who defected to the Congress from the Shiv Sena in 2006. First-time MLA Sawant who is also included in the cabinet is a staunch Ashok Chavan supporter from Nanded.