Election results were out in Maharashtra on November 23 in which BJP bagged 132 seats in a 288-member Vidhan Sabha, just 13 seats short of securing a majority of its own. Its allies in Mahayuti won 57 and NCP 41 seats. Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde was chief minister at that time, but BJP wanted a change, and Shinde was not ready vacate the post. Two days were lost, and the BJP could not name its chief minister. On November 26, the term of the Vidhan Sabha expired, and Eknath Shinde had to resign from the Chief Minister post, a great humiliation for him and his party Shiv Sena.

Maharashtra went without new government for 10 days, and finally on December 5, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as Chief Minister. Eknath Shinde, though unwillingly, accepted the Deputy Chief Minister post along with NCP leader Ajit Pawar. On what terms Eknath Shinde agreed to his own political downsizing is not exactly known. However, great difficulties remained in sharing of the ministerial portfolios among the three Mahayuti allies – the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP – which is obvious in the failure of cabinet formation even two weeks after the election results were out.

It was earlier rumoured that Cabinet expansion in Maharashtra will likely take place on December 16. Cabinet will have 43 ministers, including the Chief Minister. An understanding was reportedly reached among the Mahayuti allies that Shiv Sena will have 12 and NCP will have 10 ministers in the cabinet. The rest 20-21 ministries will remain with BJP. However, delay in cabinet expansion shows that the bargain between the three has been very hard, and no final agreement has been reached yet. Eknath Shinde has reportedly been asking for the Home portfolio, but BJP is not ready to forego this key ministry.

Nevertheless, a meeting of the leaderships of the three parties was scheduled for December 11, in which the three Mahayuti leaders from the states – BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde, and NCP’s Ajit Pawar was to come for discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on this issue. Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar came to Delhi, but Eknath Shinde did not turn up, which shows that he is upset with the talks for cabinet expansion and portfolio sharing.

NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar, after participating in the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced a new date December 14 for cabinet expansion. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in addition to participating in the meeting with Amit Shah, also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is no word from his as yet, and also from Eknath Shinde on cabinet expansion.

The trouble with the cabinet formation is that there has been intraparty and inner party demands to accommodate representatives from various party as a whole and factions therein. Situation in Mahayuti is tense, and what we are able to see is only a tip of the iceberg.

We have enough indication of that. A Shiv Sen leader has been reported saying, “The Shiv Sena believes the BJP is systematically working to downsize its powers within the government. They are not only denying Shinde the Home ministry but also not agreeing for Revenue, Industries and Housing portfolios sought by the party in the new government.”

The Delhi meet of the three leaders of Mahayuti with Union Home Minister Amit Shat was supposed to formalise and finalise the portfolio allocation to BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP. Since Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde decided to stay back, and did not have given any final word, it is clear that no unanimous agreement on names of the ministers and portfolios has been reached in the Delhi meet.

As it is announced by the Ajit Pawar, the Cabinet expansion will be done on December 14, it is expected that BJP and NCP have decided all without giving due respect to Eknath Shinde. The allegation of Shinde Shiv Sena that BJP and NCP are working for clipping wings of Shinde and his party has therefore become even more serious.

It is worth noting that Mahayuti had contested Maharashtra election under the leadership of CM Eknath Shinde. His welfare schemes, particularly for women, has been credited for return of his government in power. However, he and his party had to lose leadership to the BJP. It gives a clear message to the BJP’s allies about the risks they will be running in alliance with the BJP. Coalition morality of the BJP has become suspect. (IPA Service)