Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: Ajit Pawar to get Finance?

Negotiations for the Maharashtra cabinet expansion are underway, as Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar hold talks on how to take their alliance forward. Pawar, who claims to hold the support of a majority of MLAs of NCP and defied the leadership of his uncle Sharad Pawar, is reportedly working on attaining the Finance Ministry for his party, according to Republic. NCP’s another leader Praful Patel, who was also ousted from the party, has claimed that the cabinet allocation will be completed within the next couple of days. 

However, BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP are yet to confirm the final distribution in the Maharashtra cabinet expansion, which has shaken the opposition’s presence in the state. Sharad Pawar, who is considered to be among the most seasoned politicians in Maharashtra, is close to losing grip over his own party to nephew Ajit Pawar. A similar situation occurred last year when CM Eknath Shinde led a political coup within Shiv Sena and replaced Udhav Thackerey as the party head while forming an alliance with BJP. Final updates of Maharashtra cabinet expansion are now awaited.  

Image source: PTI