Twelve Shiv Sena MLAs are set to take oath as ministers today in Maharashtra’s much-anticipated cabinet expansion. The ceremony, scheduled for 4 PM, has created a buzz in political circles. Shiv Sena MLA Bharatshet Gogawale confirmed the development, adding that seven of the ministers will be new faces.
“Oath ceremony will take place at 4 PM. Seven people are new, and five are being repeated,” Gogawale stated.
BJP’s Girish Mahajan Expresses Gratitude
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Girish Mahajan revealed he received a call from the state BJP Chief confirming his selection as a minister.
“State BJP Chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule informed me about the decision. I will take oath as minister for the third time. I express my gratitude to the party,” Mahajan told ANI.
Younger Leaders Look Forward to Opportunities
In addition, Shiv Sena’s youngest MLA, Yogesh Ramdas Kadam, shared his hopes for a ministerial position.
“If I am given this opportunity, I will be thankful to Eknath Shinde. I will work hard for the people of Maharashtra and the Konkan region,” Kadam said. He also mentioned that the official list of ministers would be presented to the Governor shortly.
Some MLAs Await Confirmation
On the other hand, a few MLAs are still waiting for confirmation. BJP MLA Shivendra Raje Bhosale said he had not received any communication yet.
“I have not received a call. While constituency workers have their expectations, we will follow Devendra Fadnavis’ decision,” Bhosale explained.
Similarly, Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant stated that he had not been contacted but expressed confidence in Eknath Shinde’s leadership. “Whoever is chosen will fulfill their duties responsibly,” he added.
Cabinet Expansion Follows Delays
Notably, the cabinet expansion comes after over two weeks of speculation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, took the oath of office on December 5. Since then, the alliance has faced criticism from the opposition for delaying the announcement of its ministerial team.
BJP-Led Alliance’s Historic Win
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, securing 235 seats. Specifically, the BJP won 132 seats, making it the largest party. The Shiv Sena and NCP also performed well, with 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
Overall, today’s cabinet expansion marks an important step for the alliance, as it seeks to fulfill its promises and strengthen governance in the state.
