MUMBAI: CM Devendra Fadnavis’s cabinet expansion emphasised regional representation given that state govt received a clear mandate from across communities, pointed out professor Mrudul Nile of Mumbai University’s department of civics and politics. “It’s an all-encompassing cabinet with a good number of women ministers. It also did a good balancing act between the OBCs and Marathas,” he added.
The dropping of Fadnavis’s ‘trusted lieutenant’ Ravindra Chavan, who was in charge of the Konkan region for the assembly elections, came as a shock to many. “It is clear that Fadnavis did not have a free hand in the selection of candidates from BJP,” said sources. “Chandrakant Patil is a close aide of Union home minister Amit Shah and makes it to the cabinet irrespective of his performance. Pankaja Munde and Ashish Shelar being brought into the cabinet, and the inclusion of Nitesh Rane also indicates that the central leadership had a role to play. MLAs from Amravati and Washim, two crucial districts in Vidarbha, were not considered, while novices like Phundkar were.”
While Munde is not a favourite with the Centre either, social equations in Marathwada, the polarisation between the VJNT community and Marathas played a crucial role in her selection. To appease the Marathas, there is Shivendra Raje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and Patil. And by picking Ashok Uike, a tribal MLA from Yavatmal, BJP has looked beyond Nandurbar and Palghar, said sources.
Political analyst Abhay Deshpande said the inclusion of state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Shelar is a message to party workers that working hard for the party pays dividends. “Girish Mahajan, a confidant of Fadnavis who was tipped to be state party president, found a place in the cabinet. Rane’s inclusion is indicative that the party will use him to further its Hindutva agenda along with ensuring a face in Konkan, which is dominated by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena,” he said.
The presence of ministers from every region in the cabinet will also prove useful for the coming local elections as they would be put in charge of winning these polls, said sources.
Meanwhile, Nagpur was on a festive frenzy on Sunday to greet Fadnavis, who returned to his hometown as CM. In the biggest welcome any politician has received in the city in last few years, many people followed Fadnavis on foot for the 7km from Nagpur airport till Laxmi Bhuvan Square at Dharampeth, where the rally ended. The song ‘Mere Ghar Ram Aaye Hain’, which became a hit during the Ram Temple consecration, was played at every square.
Fadnavis was also greeted by Union minister for road transport and Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari, near the latter’s home.
Addressing the crowd near his residence at Trikoni Park, Fadnavis said, “Nagpur is my janmabhoomi and karmabhoomi. I thank the 14 crore people of Maharashtra for supporting Mahayuti and making their very own Deva Bhau the CM. I also thank PM Narendra Modi for the slogan ‘Ek hain to safe hain’, and of course, ‘Modi hain to mumkin hain’ (it’s possible if Modi is there).”
“This success will not go to our heads… Let the oath-taking happen; after that, me and my colleagues Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar will be at your service 24/7,” he said. “Everyone from my Ladki Bahins (dear sisters), farmers, youth, Dalits, OBC, adivasis, and people of the Maratha and Dhangar communities have a contribution to the victory achieved under the leadership of Modiji.”
(With inputs from Shishir Arya in Nagpur)
