Mumbai: In a high-voltage political twist, the Maharashtra government executed a dramatic late-night reshuffle on Thursday, bowing to relentless pressure from the opposition. The move saw the controversial Agriculture portfolio stripped from NCP minister Manikrao Kokate and handed over to Dutta Bharne, the Sports and Youth Development Minister, who is widely seen as a staunch loyalist of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
The reshuffle was formalized through a circular issued at midnight by Manisha Verma, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department, setting off fresh tremors within the already fractured Mahayuti alliance.
