Maharashtra cabinet expansion expected by Dec 14, Fadnavis to meet PM in Delhi

The cabinet expansion of the Maharashtra government headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is anticipated to be finalised by December 14 a senior BJP leader said on Wednesday reported news agency PTIFadnavis traveled to Delhi on Wednesday for a series of crucial meetings marking his first visit since taking office as Chief MinisterHe is expected to meet with prominent leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar These meetings are viewed as a courtesy and are part of the ongoing coalition discussions involving the BJP Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party NCPA BJP leader said the Shiv Sena would not get the home department and was also unlikely to be allocated the revenue portfolio stated PTIThe cabinet expansion has been delayed due to the involvement of three parties Mahayuti allies BJP Shiv Sena and NCPThe cabinet expansion is likely by December 14 The allocation of home department to Shiv Sena is ruled out The Shiv Sena may get urban development but is unlikely to get revenue said the BJP leader who did not wish to be namedThe BJP is projected to retain around 21 to 22 ministerial positions including that of the Chief Minister while leaving four to five positions vacant for future appointmentsThe Maharashtra cabinet can accommodate a total of 43 ministers including the Chief MinisterShiv Sena leader and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde was not travelling to the national capital as per his office stated PTIFadnavis along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took their oaths on December 5 after their coalition known as Mahayuti achieved a significant victory in the state assembly elections securing 230 out of 288 seatsFadnavis envisions third Mumbai to drive states trilliondollar economyMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has hailed the state as the driving force behind Indiarsquos economic growth expressing confidence that Maharashtra could soon become the first trilliondollar subeconomy in the countrySpeaking at the CNBCTV18 India Business Leader Awards IBLA held in Mumbai on Saturday Fadnavis emphasised Maharashtrarsquos position as a business powerhouse and a key player in Indiarsquos economic landscape We are back and we are back with a bang he said addressing the business leaders at the eventThanking the people of Maharashtra for their overwhelming support in the recent state elections the Chief Minister described the mandate won by the Mahayuti coalition as unprecedented and expressed gratitude for the responsibility entrusted to his government to propel the state to greater economic heightsReflecting on the election results Fadnavis admitted the massive victory came as a surprise attributing it to the success of the governments initiatives and promises fulfilled Maharashtra followed the Prime Ministerrsquos message lsquoek hai toh safe hairsquo which worked like magic during the elections he addedWith inputs from PTI ANI