Fadnavis, Ajit reach Delhi to finalise portfolios; sulking Shinde stays back

MUMBAI: After reaching a consensus on the sharing of ministerial berths and the top three portfolios, Maharashtra's three ruling parties have sought the intervention of central BJP leaders on certain contentious issues that remain.

- HT Correspondent

There is still a dispute over certain departments to resolve, for which chief minister Devendra Fadnavis proceeded to Delhi on Wednesday for a two-day visit. Fadnavis was accompanied by deputy CM Ajit Pawar, but an aggrieved Eknath Shinde chose not to go.

Fadnavis held a meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda followed by a meeting with Amit Shah at the latter's residence. The BJP leaders reportedly discussed and finalized the party names to be inducted in the cabinet.

In their meetings over the past few days, Fadnavis, Shinde and Ajit have agreed on 22 berths going to the BJP, 11 to the Shiv Sena and 10 to the NCP. The maximum strength of the ministerial council in Maharashtra, including the chief minister, is 43.

The number of berths per party could still change. According to BJP leaders, if the Sena and NCP push for more berths, they will have to settle for comparatively insignificant portfolios. As regards the key portfolios, the BJP has kept home while revenue too is expected to be retained by it.

Shinde, who was pushing for home, has been given the urban development department, while the finance department will go to the NCP.