In total control, Fadnavis strikes ‘delicate’ balance in cabinet expansion
Mumbai : Striking a good balance between regional and social equations, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expanded his council of ministers on Friday. He inducted five new cabinet ministers and as many ministers of state. He also elevated MoS home Prof. Ram Shinde to cabinet rank.
Mahadeo Jankar of Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP) turned out to be the biggest gainer, as he was sworn in as cabinet minister. Sadabhau Khot of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana was sworn in as MoS.
As announced in a joint statement by senior Shiv Sena leader and minister Diwakar Raote and state BJP president Raosaheb Danve-Patil late last night, Shiv Sena’s Arjun Khotkar and Gulabrao Patil were inducted as MoS. Sena has been assured of MoS (home) portfolio, the statement said.
While keeping the other six ministerial berths with itself, the BJP tried to strike a balance between the experienc-ed and the fresh, the rural and the urban and region-wise representation in the cabinet. Senior party leader Pandurang Fundkar along with Jaykumar Rawal, Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar, Subhash Deshmukh and Ram Shinde were inducted as cabinet ministers, while Ravindra Chavan and Madan Yerawar were inducted as MoS. With this, the total strength of the Fadnavis ministry has gone up to 39. This comprises 22 cabinet ministers and 17 ministers of state. Of the 39, BJP has 16 cabinet and nine MoS, Sena has five cabinet and 07 MoS, RSP has 01 cabinet and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna has 01 MoS. As per the cap on the size of state cabinet which can have a effective strength of 42 ministers, Fadnavis has kept three berths vacant.
Fundkar, a former three-time Lok Sabha MP from Akola, is also ex-president of the state BJP and was also earlier Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council.
Rawal, the BJP MLA from Dondaicha (Dhule), was a few years back suspended for allegedly beating a policeman in the Maharashtra Legislature premises. He was later made one of the general secretaries of the BJP. Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar represents Nilanga Assembly constituency in Latur district. He has also been one of the general secretaries of the party. Subhash Deshmukh is a former member of the Lok Sabha, representing Solapur constituency. BJP’s Ram Shinde was Minister of State (Home) before being elevated today as a Cabinet minister. He represents Karjat Jamkhed Assembly constituency. With inclusion of Jankar, who belongs to Satara district and was elected as Member of Legislative Council on January 23, 2015, BJP has strengthened its grip on the Dhangar community. It may be recalled that another leader from the community Dr. Mahatme was recently sent to Rajya Sabha by the BJP. While taking oath, Jankar evoked late BJP leader Gopinath Munde’s name.
Sena’s Arjun Khotkar, who was sworn in as MoS today, belongs to Jalna district of Marathwada. He is a four-term party MLA, who was also a junior minister in Sena-BJP government in 1999. Gulabrao Patil, known for his aggressive and fiery speeches, is a three-time Sena MLA from Jalgaon rural seat. BJP’s Ravindra Chavan, sworn-in as MoS today, is a second-term BJP MLA from Dombivali constituency.
Madan Yerawar, considered a protégé of Union minister Nitin Gadkari, represents the BJP from Yavatmal Assembly constituency.
Swabhimani Party leader Sadabhau Khot, a well-known farmer leader has been at the forefront of sugarcane farmers’ agitation in western Maharashtra. He had also unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Madha.
NEW COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Mahadeo Jankar of Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP) turned out to be the biggest gainer, as he was sworn in as cabinet minister
Total strength 9
Cabinet Ministers 22
Ministers of State 17
BJP Cabinet ministers 16
Ministers of State 9
Sena cabinet ministers 5
Ministers of state 07
RSP cabinet 01
Swabhimani MoS 01
As per the cap on the size of state cabinet which can have a effective strength of 42 ministers, Fadnavis has kept three berths vacant.
