NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar announced on Sunday that legislators not included in the current council of ministers will be given an opportunity to serve during the tenure of the ruling Mahayuti alliance government.
“We will give an opportunity to others also for two-and-a-half years,” said Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Pawar while addressing party workers in Nagpur before the cabinet expansion, news agency PTI reported.
He noted that while everyone wants to become a minister and deserves an opportunity, the number of ministerial positions is limited. Pawar said, “Everyone feels like getting an opportunity to become minister. However, the ministerial berths remain limited while everyone deserves a chance.” The Maharashtra council of ministers can have up to 43 members, including the chief minister.
He also mentioned that during the previous Mahayuti government’s tenure, some legislators worked as ministers for one-and-a-half years.
“We have decided that during the five-year tenure of this government, we will give an opportunity to others also for two-and-a-half years, which means many will get a chance to become (cabinet) ministers and state ministers. Accordingly, many districts and regions will get representation,” Pawar added.
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra expanded its council of ministers on Sunday, swearing in 39 ministers and bringing the total to 42.
In the new cabinet, the BJP has 19 ministerial berths, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has 11, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has 9.
Some prominent leaders left out of the ministry include NCP’s Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil and BJP’s Sudhir Mungantiwar.
Of the newly inducted ministers, 33 are cabinet ministers, and six are ministers of state.
In the November 20 assembly elections, the Mahayuti alliance won 230 out of 288 seats. The BJP secured 132 seats, Shiv Sena 57, and the NCP 41.
