Eknath Shinde aims for the home portfolio in Maharashtra government
Eknath Shinde aims for the home portfolio in Maharashtra government led by Devendra Fadnavis: Shiv Sena representative
Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogavale mentioned that the three Mahayuti partners are engaging in discussions regarding the distribution of portfolios.
The Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, reaffirmed on Friday that its leader has requested the essential home portfolio from the BJP, adding that the three Mahayuti affiliates are currently in discussions concerning the allocation of portfolios.
The Mahayuti consists of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, which achieved a significant victory in last month’s assembly elections. On Thursday, 12 days post-results, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis took his oath as chief minister, alongside Eknath Shinde, Pawar, and his deputies.
“When Fadnavis served as deputy CM (previously in the Shinde-led administration), he was also in charge of the home department. Now, Saheb has requested a similar arrangement, and discussions (regarding portfolio distribution) are underway,” news agency PTI quoted Gogavale as stating.
The Raigad MLA continued, “The request was likely directed towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah. We are optimistic that the discussions regarding portfolios will conclude in the next couple of days.”
Reportedly, Shinde was “hesitant” to take on the deputy CM role but was persuaded by Sena leaders to accept the position. Nevertheless, he remains firm on claiming the home department, which is accountable to the state police.
In June 2022, the influential Maratha leader from Thane revolted against the then-chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who led a united Shiv Sena. This rebellion resulted in a significant division within the party, leading to the fall of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
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