Mumbai: After the decision of the Supreme Court, the discussion about the cabinet expansion of the Shinde-Fadnavis government has intensified in the state. On one hand Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has confirmed the news of expansion as usual. On the other hand, aspirants have also started commenting on the expansion of the cabinet and are claiming that they will also be included in the cabinet.
The Shinde Fadnavis government in the state has now completed almost 11 months and the cabinet expansion of this government has not happened yet. As the outcome of the power struggle was pending in the Supreme Court, the expansion was put on hold. However, now the court, while giving its verdict in this regard, has also handed over the matter of disqualification of the MLAs to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Naturally now the matter of expansion has become clear.
It is being said that the news of expansion has gained more strength since two days back Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had said that the cabinet would be expanded soon. Aspirants for ministerial posts have even started claiming for expansion and their inclusion in the cabinet. Shiv Sena leader Bharat Gogavale has said that the problems in cabinet expansion have been resolved, whoever gets ministerial post will be given full justice. Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsath has given a statement that my name remains in discussion every time.
Bachchu Kadu expressed confidence that the cabinet would be expanded by the end of this month or in the first week of June. Bachchu Kadu also said that the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister are fully prepared for cabinet expansion. Meanwhile, it is being said that the cabinet will be expanded as soon as the green signal is received from the BJP. Interestingly, the Department of Protocol has been notified twice this month.