In a significant political move, the Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, expanded its Cabinet on Sunday. The ceremony took place at Raj Bhavan, Nagpur, and witnessed the induction of 39 ministers from the Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shiv Sena.
This expansion is a critical milestone in solidifying the governance framework of the state, following the alliance’s sweeping victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Distribution of Ministerial Berths
The newly formed Cabinet includes a diverse representation of the three key alliance partners:
- BJP: 19 ministers
- Shiv Sena: 11 ministers
- NCP: 9 ministers
This equitable distribution reflects the Mahayuti alliance’s commitment to cooperative governance.
Key Leaders in the Cabinet
Prominent names from the BJP include state unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Girish Mahajan, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, and Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. The Shiv Sena’s roster features Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Sanjay Rathod, and Uday Samant, while the NCP sees heavyweights like Hasan Mushrif, Aditi Tatkare, and Dhananjay Munde taking oath as ministers.
The swearing-in ceremony was administered by Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan and attended by senior alliance leaders, including Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
Full List of Cabinet Ministers
BJP Ministers:
- Chandrashekhar Bawankule
- Girish Mahajan
- Chandrakant Patil
- Ganesh Naik
- Mangal Prabhat Lodha
- Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil
- Pankaja Munde
- Ashish Shelar
- Jaykumar Gore
- Sanjay Savkare
- Akash Fundkar
- Jaykumar Rawal
- Ashok Uike
- Atul Save
- Nitesh Rane
- Shivendrasinh Raje Bhosale
NCP Ministers:
- Hasan Mushrif
- Aditi Tatkare
- Babasaheb Patil
- Makrand Jadhav Patil
- Narhari Zirwal
- Dhananjay Munde
- Manikrao Kokate
- Dattatray Bharne
Shiv Sena Ministers:
- Sanjay Rathod
- Pratap Sarnaik
- Sanjay Shirsat
- Uday Samant
- Bharat Gogawale
- Dada Bhuse
- Gulabrao Patil
- Shambhuraj Desai
- Prakash Abitkar
Ministers of State
The Cabinet also includes six Ministers of State, three each from the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP. Notable names include Pankaj Bhoyar (BJP), Ashish Jaiswal (Shiv Sena), and Indranil Naik (NCP).
The Cabinet expansion, delayed by more than two weeks after CM Fadnavis and his deputies took oath on December 5, attracted criticism from opposition parties. They alleged that the delay highlighted internal discord within the alliance. However, the Mahayuti leaders dismissed these claims, asserting that the time was used to ensure an efficient and balanced Cabinet.
Mahayuti’s Electoral Dominance
The expansion follows the alliance’s resounding victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, where they secured 235 out of 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, Shiv Sena won 57, and NCP secured 41.
The new Cabinet is expected to focus on critical governance issues, including infrastructure, agricultural reforms, and industrial development. With a strong mandate and experienced leaders, the Mahayuti alliance aims to deliver efficient governance and set a new benchmark for political collaboration in Maharashtra.
This Cabinet expansion marks a new chapter in Maharashtra’s political landscape, reflecting the strength and unity of the Mahayuti alliance.
(With inputs from ANI)