Fadnavis finalises BJP's list of 22 ministers for state cabinet

CM to work out final power-sharing with deputies Shinde, Pawar; swearing-in likely on December 14

- Surendra P Gangan

MUMBAI: While uncertainty persists on the first expansion of the state cabinet of Mahayuti 2.0, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has finalised its list of legislators to be inducted as ministers into the state cabinet.

The three ruling parties may go ahead with the expansion before the winter session, which begins on Monday, by finalising the distribution of portfolios by Friday evening.

Although chief minister Devendra Fadnavis maintained that no date had been finalised, deputy CM Ajit Pawar hinted at the swearing-in happening on December 14.

The three ruling parties are expected to keep five to six berths vacant to pacify the vast number of aspirants.

Following his meetings with party bosses in New Delhi, Fadnavis is expected to hold a meeting with Eknath Shinde and Pawar to finalise the power-sharing arrangement.

The CM met Narendra Modi on Thursday morning and discussed power-sharing and the priorities for the newly formed government.

The duo reportedly discussed the schemes and projects to be implemented with the help of central funding.