X: @vivekbhavsar
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is set to retain crucial portfolios, including the Urban Development Department, Housing, and Industries, as part of the much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle.
Meanwhile, Uday Samant, who previously held the Industries portfolio, is expected to be handed the Public Health Department, signaling a potential downgrade in his responsibilities. Sources within the political corridors suggest that Samant’s reported attempts to negotiated with BJP minister Girish Mahajan, allegedly without Shinde’s knowledge, led to tensions between the two leaders.
According to insiders, Samant met Mahajan thrice in a bid to secure key departments, bypassing Shinde and causing a rift. Shinde’s decision to reassign portfolios appears to reflect his dissatisfaction with Samant’s actions.
Senior BJP leader and minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule is expected to be assigned the Energy portfolio in the Maharashtra cabinet. Bawankule, who served as the Energy Minister during the Devendra Fadnavis-led government from 2014 to 2019, is set to return to the department he once helmed successfully.
Sources indicate that the BJP is relying on Bawankule’s prior experience to address the state’s ongoing energy challenges, including power distribution reforms and infrastructure development. During his earlier tenure, Bawankule was credited with introducing several initiatives aimed at improving power supply and enhancing efficiency in the energy sector.
His reappointment, if finalized, reflects the BJP’s strategic focus on leveraging proven leadership in critical portfolios as part of the cabinet restructuring. The move also signifies the party’s intent to balance its influence within the coalition government led by Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde.
