Late on Wednesday night, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP national president JP Nadda met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the upcoming cabinet expansion. The allocation of portfolios to the Shiv Sena and NCP was also a key topic of conversation. Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are currently in Delhi, where the finalization of the cabinet formula is expected to take place. The cabinet expansion is anticipated on December 14. Reports indicate that the BJP is unwilling to assign the home and revenue portfolios to Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.
Sources suggest that during the cabinet expansion on December 14, the Shiv Sena may once again receive the urban development ministry, but it is unlikely to secure the revenue and home portfolios. The BJP is expected to retain 21 or 22 ministerial posts for itself, including the Chief Minister's position, with 4-5 posts possibly remaining vacant. The discussions regarding the distribution of cabinet portfolios have been prolonged due to the involvement of all three major parties in the grand alliance. According to PTI, the Maharashtra cabinet can accommodate a maximum of 43 ministers.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has confirmed that the cabinet expansion and portfolio allocation are likely to occur before the winter session, which will be held in Nagpur starting December 16. Fadnavis is currently on a tour of Delhi and will return to the state after consulting with senior BJP leaders. Following his return, a meeting with the leaders of the grand alliance will be convened to discuss ministerial positions and portfolio allocations, as stated by Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat.
In the meantime, the grand alliance has formed a government with a strong majority, having won more than 230 seats in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Devendra Fadnavis has been sworn in as Chief Minister, while Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have taken their oaths as Deputy Chief Ministers. All eyes are now on the timing of the cabinet expansion, with projections indicating that the BJP is likely to secure 20-21 ministerial posts, the Shiv Sena 11-12, and the NCP 9-10. It has also been suggested that some existing ministers from the previous government may retain their positions in the new cabinet.