Once the Dussehra celebrations are over, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is likely to rejig his cabinet ministers, local media reports said. According to these news outlets, the Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction leader is likely to give younger party legislators a chance in the cabinet.
Eknath Shinde's party has 57 MLAs and is the second-biggest constituent of the ruling Mahayuti alliance after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's BJP. The Shinde Sena has a total of nine cabinet ministers and two ministers of state in Maharashtra, apart from the Deputy Chief Minister.
According to media reports, Shinde is not happy with the performance of some of his cabinet colleagues and may demote them to minister of state status. While it was mentioned that MoS Ashish Jaiswal and Yogesh Kadam may get promoted, reports categorically claimed that Shinde may give a chance to younger Shiv Sainiks.
Although there has been no official announcement about this at present, active discussions are happening in this regard, TV9 Kannada said in a report. Shinde's objective is to ensure there are no internal power tussles in the party and that administrative work is executed effortlessly.
Earlier, Eknath Shinde had said the state government stands resolutely behind affected agricultural families and guaranteed substantial relief and assistance. The Maharashtra government has declared drought in 265 out of 358 talukas (about 74 per cent of the state) across 32 districts.
Shinde said a Central assessment team has completed its field inspection in drought-hit regions, followed by a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Citing his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the PM had assured full central assistance for affected farming communities.
It is also noteworthy that similar reports had earlier claimed that chief minister Fadnavis will be asked to join the Modi cabinet in the Centre after passing his mantle in the state to the younger generation.
While Shinde Sena was to rewarded with more Union ministry berths for the success of 'Operation Tiger', Fadnavis was to start the next level of his political journey. However, the the reshuffle is yet to take place.
