Maharashtra cabinet expansion today
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is set to expand his council of ministers on Monday. While sources said Aaditya Thackeray is likely to take oath as a state minister, Ajit Pawar will take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The development comes 32 days after Thackeray took oath as the CM, on November 28. Nearly 36 ministers -- including those of Cabinet Minister and Minister of State ranks -- are likely to be inducted.
Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders comprising Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress had held several meetings to finalise the plans on cabinet expansion, in the past few days. Currently, besides the Chief Minister, the MVA government has just six Cabinet ministers, two each from the three parties.
Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari will administer the oath to the new team around noon in the Maharashtra Legislature precinct.
The total strength of the ministry of Maharashtra cabinet can be maximum 42, including the Chief Minister.
As per the latest indications on Sunday, Nationalist Congress President (NCP) President Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar, could bounce back as Deputy Chief Minister.
While there was speculation that Congress had eyed the post of Deputy Chief Minister, it is ruled out as Congressman Nana Patole has been made the Speaker.
Among the senior Congress leaders, Ashok Chavan could be made a minister while Prithviraj Chavan could be accommodated as state Congress president, as present state party chief Balasaheb Thorat is now a cabinet minister.
The three parties have framed a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and a seat-share formula.
According to the initial seat-sharing formula, the Shiv Sena would get 15 ministers apart from the Chief Minister, NCP 14 and Congress 12.
Last month on November 23, Ajit Pawar had rebelled and allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party to become Deputy Chief Minister under then BJP Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
However, the two-man government could last just 80 hours.
Fadnavis is now in a new role as Leader of Opposition.
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