Nagpur: Perhaps for the first time in Maharashtra’s legislative history, a full session of the state legislature may conclude without ministers being assigned portfolios. The winter session, which began with high expectations, is set to conclude on Saturday, but the 39 recently sworn-in ministers of Mahayuti govt are yet to get clarity about their roles.
The delay has triggered sharp criticism from opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar), which has accused the govt of plunging the state into administrative paralysis, calling the situation a “first in Maharashtra’s history”. Ministers inducted into the expanded cabinet on Dec 15 have not been allotted portfolios even after five days. Sources suggest the stalemate stems from ongoing power-sharing negotiations between the three major coalition partners — BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar). Talks reportedly involve demands for high-profile ministries like finance, home, and urban development, traditionally controlled by the BJP and Shiv Sena.
A BJP insider said the Delhi leadership is mediating to break the deadlock. “With the Parliament session underway, the matter has been deferred for now,” he said.
Meanwhile, DCM Ajit Pawar’s NCP is reportedly lobbying hard for finance and urban development ministries, creating friction within the alliance. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to retain the home ministry, while deputy CM Eknath Shinde is likely to continue as urban development and public works minister. — Vaibhav Ganjapure
Nagpur: Perhaps for the first time in Maharashtra’s legislative history, a full session of the state legislature may conclude without ministers being assigned portfolios. The winter session, which began with high expectations, is set to conclude on Saturday, but the 39 recently sworn-in ministers of Mahayuti govt are yet to get clarity about their roles.
The delay has triggered sharp criticism from opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar), which has accused the govt of plunging the state into administrative paralysis, calling the situation a “first in Maharashtra’s history”. Ministers inducted into the expanded cabinet on Dec 15 have not been allotted portfolios even after five days. Sources suggest the stalemate stems from ongoing power-sharing negotiations between the three major coalition partners — BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar). Talks reportedly involve demands for high-profile ministries like finance, home, and urban development, traditionally controlled by the BJP and Shiv Sena.
A BJP insider said the Delhi leadership is mediating to break the deadlock. “With the Parliament session underway, the matter has been deferred for now,” he said.
Meanwhile, DCM Ajit Pawar’s NCP is reportedly lobbying hard for finance and urban development ministries, creating friction within the alliance. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to retain the home ministry, while deputy CM Eknath Shinde is likely to continue as urban development and public works minister. — Vaibhav Ganjapure
