4 ministers from Pune, Misal set to be MoS in cabinet

PUNE: As the state cabinet expansion unfolded on Sunday, one narrative stood out prominently—the dominance of western Maharashtra.

- Shrinivas Deshpande

With 10 leaders from the region securing ministerial berths, the sugar belt has reaffirmed its status as the power centre of Maharashtra politics.

Within Western Maharashtra, Pune and Satara districts emerged as key beneficiaries, collectively bagging six cabinet positions, marking a moment of both history and surprise. Pune's political scene saw a watershed moment as Madhuri Misal became the second woman from Pune to become a minister in the state cabinet in 46 years, following Shanti Naik, who became a minister in 1978.

For Satara, the surprise wasn't just in the numbers—four cabinet ministers—but also in the inclusions of Jaykumar Gore and Makrand Patil, whose ascent has sparked interest in their growing influence in state politics.

For decades, Pune has been the cradle of Maharashtra's politics, but the district has seen fewer occasions for such a significant presence in the state government. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has now been joined by three more ministers: cabinet members Chandrakant Patil and Dattatrayya Bharne, along with MoS Madhuri Misal.