Twenty-four hours after his government was sworn in, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is yet to declare Cabinet portfolios. Nine ministers were sworn in on Friday including seven Cabinet ministers and two ministers of state.
Cabinet Minister Vinod Tawde was keen on the Home portfolio but the party high command was less so, sources say. Cabinet Minister Eknath Khadse is set to get the Revenue portfolio but is hoping to get more than one key post.
Meanwhile the Shiv Sena is pushing for ten cabinet berths and wants the Deputy Chief Minister's post. It is also pushing for key posts including Power, Finance, Education and Health.
On Saturday, Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai met Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley in Delhi, reiterating his party’s demand for 10 Cabinet posts. According to Sena sources, the party also demanded the Deputy Chief Minister’s post.
“The BJP is non-committal on this demand,” said a senior party leader, on the condition of anonymity.
While congratulating Mr. Fadnavis, an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna on Saturday had a few words of advice. “The new Government is like a newly-wed woman who initially pleases her mother-in-law. In this case, the mother- in-law is the people of Maharashtra. You cannot take people for granted. They have the power to pull your ears when you err,” said the editorial. It is true that there is no magic wand to fulfil promises made to the people, but people of Maharashtra are looking at the new Government the first led by BJP, with a lot of hope, it said.
