Shiv Sena will not be part of Cabinet

Six BJP legislators to be sworn in along with Fadnavis on Oct 31

It is now official. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) former ally, Shiv Sena will not be part of the new Maharashtra government headed by Devendra Fadnavis. Instead, Fadnavis along with six party legislators will take oath of office and secrecy at the swearing-in ceremony on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium.

BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, who seconded Fadnavis’ name as the BJP’s legislature party leader at the meeting of the legislators, told Business Standard: “Only seven party members, including Devendra as the chief minister will be sworn in on October 31. Other leaders, who will take the oath, include Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawde, Pankaja Munde-Palwe and myself. Five of us are currently members of the party’s core committee.”

Besides, one member each from the scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) will also be inducted in the ministry.

“The party’s tribal leader, Vishnu Sawra from Vikramgad seat in Thane district reserved for STs is being considered for the ministerial berth. In the SC category, the party is considering the names of Sudhakar Bhalerao from the Udgir seat in Latur district and former Mumbai unit chief Bhai Girkar who is member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council,” said Mungantiwar.

He added the seven-member ministry would be based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘minimum government, maximum governance’ model.

Mungantiwar said the core committee will meet soon to decide the allocation of ministries. Asked about the BJP’s talks with the Shiv Sena for its support or induction in the ministry, Mungantiwar reiterated it would be a seven-member Cabinet comprising BJP members. “The BJP's central leadership is holding talks with the Shiv Sena in this regard. As of now, Shiv Sena will not be part of the Fadnavis-led ministry,” he said.

Mungantiwar said the first priority of the new government will be to implement the BJP’s vision for Maharashtra. “The party's vision to expedite Maharashtra's growth is already ready. The Cabinet will take decisions for its effective implementation. Further, in a bid to bring in transparency in administration and governance, the government will introduce anti-corruption laws and pay attention to their implementation,” he added.

According to Mungantiwar, the ministers will be asked to reach out to the people taking Modi's growth agenda.

Fadnavis creates history, supporters rejoice