New Delhi: The BJP in Maharashtra has convinced its alliance partner Eknath Shinde to take take the role of Deputy chief minister in the upcoming Mahayuti government and is set to take the oath alongside Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday.
According to sources cited by a media organisation, Devendra Fadnavis is expected to return as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for December 5 at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other key NDA leaders are expected to attend the ceremony. Following the oath-taking, the allocation of cabinet portfolios and berths among the three Mahayuti allies—BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP—will be finalized.
Sources indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to secure 21-22 portfolios, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP may receive 9-10 cabinet berths. Although the Shiv Sena initially sought 16 portfolios, it is expected to be allotted 12.
The BJP is expected to retain critical portfolios such as Home and Revenue, along with the Speaker and Chairman positions in the Legislative Council. Meanwhile, the NCP is likely to keep the Finance portfolio and secure the Deputy Speaker role.