Maharashtra Mahayuti Tension: Eknath Shinde Insists on Taking Home Ministry

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, who was initially focused on securing the position of Chief Minister, is now pushing for the Home Ministry. The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister has once again asked the BJP for the Home Department, although discussions about the allocation of ministries are still ongoing. Talks are taking place between the alliance partners, and while Shinde had previously delayed accepting the Deputy CM role, he committed to supporting Chief Minister Fadnavis and working as a team once he took the oath.

Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogavale confirmed that Shinde has requested the important Home Ministry from the BJP. He mentioned that discussions are continuing regarding the division of portfolios and that the cabinet expansion could take place between December 11 and 16, just before the state legislature’s winter session begins.

The winter session will commence on December 16 in Nagpur, the state’s second capital. Gogavale stated, “When Devendra Fadnavis was the Deputy CM in the Shinde-led government, he held the Home Ministry. Saheb (Shinde) has now requested the home portfolio, and the talks are ongoing.”

Asked about to whom the request was made, Gogavale suggested it was likely directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The MLA from Mahad in Raigad district also added that there are efforts to revise the portfolios that Shiv Sena held in the previous Mahayuti government. He expressed hope that the portfolio distribution talks would be concluded in the next two days.

On Thursday, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Chief Minister for the third time during a grand ceremony at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers. No other leaders were appointed during the ceremony, aside from the three top Mahayuti leaders.