Maharashtra’s Chief Minister designate Devendra Fadnavis is expected to keep the Finance portfolio and may even end up handling the Home department, BJP sources said. The swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet will be held on Friday.
Highly placed sources told The Hindu that senior leader Vinod Tawde is keen on the Home portfolio but the party high command would prefer Mr Fadnavis to handle it.
While portfolios are still to be finalised, senior leader Eknath Khadse who was hoping for the CM's post could get the revenue portfolio. Sudhir Mungantiwar, a close aide of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, is said to be gunning for the rural and urban development departments.
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Pankaja Munde, daughter of the late Gopinath Munde, is said to be keen on the high profile irrigation portfolio but may be considered inexperienced. Mr Tawde could end up with the public works portfolio instead of Home, sources said. The role of the speaker will be crucial with the government soon facing a trust vote. The party is hoping to persuade senior leader Girish Bapat for the job.