Maharashtra cabinet expansion on Tuesday at 11am: Sources

NEW DELHI: The much awaited expansion of Maharashtra's Eknath Shinde cabinet is due on Tuesday, August 9, news agency PTI said, quoting a senior BJP leader. The official function will take place at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai at 11am.

CM Shinde is likely to induct 15 more ministers and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to keep the crucial Home portfolio.

Shinde and Fadnavis were sworn in as chief minister and deputy chief minister respectively on June 30 after the resignation of Uddhav Thackeray due to a rebellion in the Shiv Sena ranks.

The duo have been functioning as a two-member cabinet since then, inviting criticism from opposition leaders.



The opposition also slammed Shinde for granting certain powers of ministers to secretaries in absence of a full cabinet.

However the chief minister clarified that no ministerial-level powers were given to the secretaries except in quasi-judicial matters.

Both Shinde and Fadnavis are believed to have discussed the cabinet expansion with top BJP functionaries during their visits to Delhi after the swearing in.

The BJP is said to be eyeing all prime portfolios held by Congress and NCP which include home, irrigation, public works and housing, and telling the Shinde faction to take those held by the Shiv Sena in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.