Mumbai: The cabinet expansion has now been hit by “Vayu” of uncertainty. It is being said that the cabinet expansion has not yet got Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clearance and therefore a big question mark has been put on the expansion plan.
Both the BJP and Shiv Sena are trying to pacify the aspirants who could not be accommodated. The possibility of cabinet reward to newly joined leaders by both the parties has made their legislators upset. It has been old political gimmick that before every legislature session the Chief Minister and his close confidante leader spread the news of cabinet expansion possibility. But actually it rarely happens. Since the Fadnavis government came into power, talks of expansion have always proved a political gossip. This gossip keeps the disgruntled elements in both the parties under control as everybody among them dream of being a minister.
Since the assembly elections are just three months ahead, both BJP and Sena are trying to accommodate leaders who were not given a chance before. The social, regional balance is also being kept in mind.
“It was expected that cabinet expansion will be on June 14. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet given green signal for cabinet expansion. Therefore there is still a question mark whether this expansion will take place or not?,” told a senior BJP leader, who is also a senior minister in the cabinet.
BJP and Sena is struggling to end the discontent among the leaders who are not getting chance in this expansion. But both parties are finding it difficult to justify reward of cabinet berths to the new entrants from other parties. “ What is the use of loyalty and hard work if these new birds get the entry into cabinet. What should we tell our communities and supporters,” angry legislators asked. Shiv Sena is also facing opposition to Subhash Desai’s name Deputy Chief Minister’s post.
Limited Expansion?
BJP and Sena may go ahead with a limited cabinet expansion by just filling two vacancies. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil may be made minister from BJP Quota and Rajesh Kshirsagar from Shiv Sena on 16 June, just a day before the last session of this government.
