Nagpur turned into the epicenter of Maharashtra’s political theatre on Sunday as the much-awaited cabinet expansion of the BJP-led government unfolded with grandeur. A total of 39 ministers were sworn in during a high-stakes ceremony that set the stage for the winter session of the State legislature, beginning December 16.
Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office in a solemn yet charged atmosphere, marking a significant reshuffle in the State’s power dynamics. Of the 39 leaders, 33 took their place as cabinet ministers, while six were inducted as ministers of State.
The event, heavy with political symbolism, showcased a coalition cementing its hold on power. The BJP claimed the lion’s share with 19 ministerial berths, followed by 11 for the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and nine for Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP.
Rolling into action
Women leaders made their presence felt in the male-dominated arena, with four women ministers taking oath: BJP’s Pankaja Munde, Madhuri Misal, Meghana Bordikar, and NCP’s Aditi Tatkare. Their induction is being viewed as a step toward greater representation, though much remains to be seen.
Among the ministers of State were BJP’s Meghana Bordikar, Madhuri Misal, and Pankaj Bhoyar; NCP’s Indranil Naik; and Shiv Sena’s Ashish Jaiswal and Yogesh Kadam.
The expansion comes just days after the swearing-in ceremony on December 5, where Devendra Fadnavis was reinstated as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, alongside Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
The timing of the cabinet expansion, on the eve of the winter session, adds an air of urgency and intrigue, signaling that the government is gearing up to address pressing issues while consolidating its grip on the State’s political landscape.