Mumbai: After Eknath Shinde put up a show of strength with 25 legislators on June 13, against senior leader Subhash Desai, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray stepped in to avert infighting and conveyed to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that they are not interested in the Deputy Chief Minister's post. In the cabinet reshuffle scheduled for Sunday, Sena will get two berths, one cabinet, one state minister and Deputy CM post. However, in lieu of Deputy CM, they may get an additional ministerial position.
Fadnavis and Uddhav had a discussion in this regard on Friday night, when this was eventually decided. It was earlier contemplated that Subhash Desai would be the front runner for this post. However, Shinde along with 25 legislators on Thursday night met Uddhav and expressed their angst. Sena legislators are upset with the fact that Desai is a back door entrant legislator (councillor), while many from rural Maharashra who have been elected by the masses have been ignored. This has caused major displeasure among the Sena legislators. Sainiks who are likely to be inducted as ministers are Jayadutta Kshirsagar, Rajesh Kshirsagar, Tanaji Sawant, Uday Samant, Dadaji Bhuse and Sanjay Rathod.