Mumbai: The state cabinet expansion scheduled at 11 am on Sunday day is likely to be a major reshuffle. Around four-five ministers are expected to be dropped and 10 new faces may be inducted. Former Congressman and leader of the opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, is all set to join cabinet. The national chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Amit Shah, was opposed to Vikhe Patil's inclusion in cabinet. But Fadnavis seems to have persuaded him otherwise. Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar is also expected to join the cabinet.
It is also now confirmed that the much-awaited inclusion of senior BJP legislator Dr.Sanjay Kute in the cabinet too will happen. Kute has been asked to remain present for the swearing-in. With a view to enhance its focus on Western Maharashtra, the BJP may induct legislators Sanjay Bhegde and Suresh Khade, who are from this region, into the cabinet. Atul Save, another BJP legislator from Marathwada may also find a spot in the cabinet. Aurangabad district has nine seats in the Assembly. BJP has now focused on Aurangabad and the inclusion of Save may help arrest the Shiv Sena's growth in the district. Another legislator from the BJP, Prashant Bumb, refused to join the cabinet as he was not keen on being a minister for just three months.
Suspense over Sena ministers
After all the hype and speculation over the deputy Chief Minister's Post, the Sena finally chose not to press for it after all. The new entrant from the Nationalist Congress Party, Jaydutt Kshirsagar, is all set to join the cabinet. There is strong opposition to his inclusion. But keeping in mind his mass base in the Beed district of Marathwada and his following amongst OBCs, he may be inducted with an eye on ensuring a good outcome in the forthcoming Assembly election. Kshirsagar has served as a minister in the Congress-NCP reign. The Sena legislator Sanjay Shirsat and Rajesh Kshirsagar are also expecting cabinet berths but are awaiting invitations.
Ministers to be dropped
After a Lokayukta inquiry indicted housing minister Prakash Mehta, he is all set to be booted out of the cabinet, to staunch criticism from the opposition. Raj Kumar Badole, minister for social justice and Vishnu Savara, minister for tribal affairs, are expected to be dropped. Badole is the Dalit face of the BJP from Vidarbha. He may be replaced by Parinay Fuke, the young Dalit leader who is close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fuke is also from Vidarbha. Savara is the tribal face of the BJP from Palghar. He may be replaced by Ashok Uike, a tribal leader from Vidarbha. Pravin Pote, a minister of state, is expected to be replaced by Anil Bonde. Dilip Kamble, a Dalit leader from Pune may be dropped.and be replaced by Bhai Girkar, another Dalit leader from BJP.
'Ready to work under Fadnavis' leadership'
Shirdi: Amid speculation that he could be inducted into the Maharashtra cabinet, former Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said on Saturday that he would carry out "whatever responsibility" he is given. Vikhe Patil, former Leader of Opposition of the Maharashtra Assembly, recently quit Congress after his son Sujay won Lok Sabha election on BJP ticket. Asked whether he would be inducted into the cabinet, he said, "If I get the opportunity to work under his (CM Fadnavis') leadership, it is good."
