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According to Mahayuti insiders, Fadnavis has requested both deputy chief ministers, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, to take a call on the future of their respective party ministers
The development comes after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s recent visit to Delhi and his back-to-back meetings with top BJP leadership. (PTI)
The political landscape in Maharashtra is abuzz with speculation about a significant cabinet reshuffle. The development comes after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s recent visit to Delhi and his back-to-back meetings with top BJP leadership.
While the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) maintains that the meetings focussed on developmental projects for the state, sources within the ruling Mahayuti alliance suggest that something more substantial is in the works. The timing of these meetings, particularly after a series of embarrassing controversies involving state ministers, has only intensified the speculation.
Two recent viral videos have put the Fadnavis government on the defensive. One video shared by NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on social media platform X shows agriculture minister and NCP leader Manikarao Kokate playing an online card game on his phone during an assembly session. Another, meanwhile, depicts Shiv Sena leader and minister Sanjay Shirsat sitting casually in his bedroom with a bag allegedly full of cash lying next to him. Both videos sparked criticism from the Opposition during the recently concluded monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly. They have not only embarrassed the government but also raised questions about ministerial conduct.
According to Mahayuti insiders, Fadnavis has requested both deputy chief ministers, Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar of NCP, to take a call on the future of their respective party ministers. If no action is taken soon, the BJP may consider a reshuffle, potentially involving changes in portfolios.
Sources further reveal that the BJP’s state leadership is eager to introduce younger and more experienced faces from Shiv Sena and NCP. The intention is to induct ministers who align better with the BJP’s disciplined and performance-oriented approach and who won’t tarnish the government’s image.
The recent Delhi trip was Fadnavis’s first in nearly two months, during which detailed discussions were held with senior BJP leaders. Regardless of whether the cabinet reshuffle occurs immediately or after a delay, it is evident that pressure is building within the Mahayuti alliance to improve its image before the upcoming elections.
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More
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