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Sources have confirmed that BJP, with its dominant strength of 132 MLAs, will secure the lion’s share of ministerial positions, claiming 22 berths.
Maharashtra CM Swearing In Ceremony: Devendra Fadnavis with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. (PTI file photo)
Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance has finalised the distribution of cabinet berths among its three major partners – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Sources have confirmed that BJP, with its dominant strength of 132 MLAs, will secure the lion’s share of ministerial positions, claiming 22 berths. This marks a significant shift for BJP compared to its previous tenure when it had just nine ministries despite having 105 MLAs. The new formula, based on proportional representation, paves the way for more BJP leaders to secure cabinet roles. The Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, with 57 MLAs, is expected to secure 12 cabinet berths. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s NCP, with 41 MLAs, will take 10 positions.
In the earlier Mahayuti government, all three parties were granted equal representation with nine ministries each. This had sparked discontent within BJP, which has now leveraged its stronger electoral mandate to change the balance. The new cabinet allocation is based on a formula granting one ministerial position for every six to seven MLAs. BJP’s overwhelming victory has secured it nearly half the cabinet positions. Out of Shinde faction’s 12 ministries, around half will be cabinet-level positions. Similarly, five of the NCP’s 10 ministries will be cabinet-level roles. However, sources reveal not all these positions will be filled immediately. Appointments will be phased, depending on political needs.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is currently in Delhi to finalise the ministerial list. He is consulting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure smooth allocation of portfolios. The finalised list is expected to gain approval in the next few days. The cabinet expansion will likely take place on December 14 or 15 just ahead of the winter session of the Maharashtra legislature, which begins on December 16 in Nagpur. While the allocation of positions has been largely decided, not all posts will be filled at once. BJP sources have indicated that they will keep some positions vacant to accommodate emerging political dynamics or reward party loyalists at a later stage. Additionally, the distribution of portfolios is yet to be confirmed and is expected to be another area of strategic planning. Senior BJP leadership in Delhi will have the final say in the matter.
The BJP’s improved performance in the recent elections has not only consolidated its hold over the state but also allowed it to assert its dominance in the Mahayuti alliance. Party insiders suggest this cabinet reshuffle will quell internal dissent by accommodating more leaders. In comparison, Shinde’s Shiv Sena, which is grappling with internal strife, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, which is trying to strengthen its position within the alliance, will have to make do with fewer berths.
Despite this progress, the Mahayuti alliance faces challenges in keeping its coalition partners satisfied. With winter session preparations underway, the leadership is under pressure to deliver a balanced cabinet while maintaining political stability. If all goes according to plan, the BJP-led alliance will enter the upcoming legislative session with a strengthened cabinet and a renewed strategy to govern Maharashtra.
