Maharashtra government formation on 30 Nov or 1 Dec, says Ajit Pawar as fight over key portfolios begins

Mumbai: Even as the Maharashtra’s broader power-sharing formula will be one-CM-and-two-Deputy-CMs formula, there is an intense struggle underway between BJP and its key allies, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-NCP, for bagging the plum portfolios. These are namely, Revenue, Home, Finance, Forests, Urban Development, Rural Development, Energy, Agriculture, Industries and Water Resources.

Asked about who would be the CM and portfolios, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, said: "The answer to this will be given soon. All senior members of MahaYuti will meet and decide."

Meanwhile, Pawar, who is the NCP President, said that the government formation would take place over the weekend. “We are meeting on Thursday (to decide who would become the CM)… We feel that the swearing in would happen on 30 November or 1 December,” Pawar, the five-time Deputy CM, said.

Since the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly comprises 288 members, the maximum ministers that the government can have is 43.

In the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the BJP won 132 seats, Shiv Sena 57, and NCP 41 and the MahaYuti also has seven other smaller parties.

“What appears now is that BJP will get 21 berths, Shiv Sena 12 and NCP 10. The previous government headed by Eknath Shinde had only Cabinet ministers and Ministers of State were not appointed. This time, efforts are on to make a balance between experienced and freshers. There is stress on proper representations to the five regions - Mumbai-Konkan, Western Maharashtra, North Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha. Also caste representation would be seen and women will be accommodated. The last ministry had only one woman minister,” informed sources told DH on Wednesday.

The previous Maha Yuti ministry had a strength of Cabinet ministers of 29 - Shiv Sena (10), BJP (10) and NCP (9) - including Shinde, the CM and Fadnavis and Pawar, the two deputies.

There are chances that the Maha Yuti will name the CM once the power-sharing ratio and portfolios are decided.

Besides portfolios, key leaders and probables are also lobbying for guardian ministership of the 36 districts of the state.