Maharashtra Cabinet expansion likely before winter session

There are currently 12 vacancies in the Maharashtra CM's Council of Ministers

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to expand his cabinet before the winter session of the state legislature next month, and in an apparent bid to placate restless allies, who may find a renewed voice in the wake of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s poll debacle in Bihar, will call on Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray before the move.

The much-awaited expansion of the council of ministers may happen before the beginning of the session in Nagpur, slated for December 7.

“I would meet the Sena chief soon after Diwali festival,” Fadnavis told reporters here today.

Meanwhile, state PWD Minister Chandrakant Patil told PTI that there are 12 vacancies at present in the council of ministers.

“Out of the 12 vacancies, two will go to Shiv Sena and four to smaller allies. The Chief Minister will take a call on whether to fill up all the six vacancies from the BJP quota or keep two pending,” he said.

Sources said it is unlikely that Fadnavis will fill up all the 12 vacancies at one go.

A BJP leader said the party is likely to induct four ministers in the cabinet and elevate its minister of state for Home (Rural) Ram Shinde to cabinet rank.

“Fadnavis, during his recent visit to New Delhi, got the nod from the party leadership for the expansion of cabinet," the leader said.