While the Maharashtra Assembly's monsoon session is slated to begin from next week, the BJP-led state government is likely to expand its cabinet before the monsoon session. Reports have surfaced saying that, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to expand his Cabinet on June 14 or 15.
According to DNA, former leader of opposition in the state Assembly and veteran Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who quit as the legislator, will get Cabinet berth. Besides, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators Sanjay Kute (Jalgaon-Jamod in Buldhana district) and Laxman Jagtap (Pimpri-Chinchwad in Pune district) are tipped to be inducted in the Cabinet too. Senior BJP legislator Yogesh Sagar from Charkop may be sworn in as Minister of State if the Chief Minister decides to drop housing minister Prakash Mehta.
In the meanwhile, Shiv Sena has demanded to induct one minister of Cabinet rank and one minister of state rank during the expansion. According to DNA report, the Shiv Sena has said that after the resignation of Dr Deepak Sawant as health minister, the portfolio is being handled by public works minister Eknath Shinde. Hence, Shinde is handling two portfolios, the Sena has recommended Jaidutt Kshirsagar for that berth.
Maharashtra minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar on Tuesday said a cabinet expansion can take place before the beginning of the monsoon session of the Assembly. The monsoon session of the Assembly will start on June 17 and it will be the last one of the legislature before state polls later in the year. Speaking to reporters at Mantralaya here after a cabinet meeting, he said there were some vacant ministerial posts from the BJP and Shiv Sena quota, adding "they will all get good news before the beginning of the monsoon session".
