Eknath Shinde Insists on Home Department, With BJP Set to Finalize Portfolio Talks
Mumbai, 7th December 2024: On Friday, the Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, reiterated that its leader has requested the crucial home portfolio from the BJP. Reports suggest that while Shinde was initially hesitant to accept the deputy CM position, he was persuaded by his party leaders. However, he remains firm in his demand for the home department, which oversees the state police.
Shinde’s rebellion in June 2022 against then-chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, head of the joint Shiv Sena, resulted in a split within the party and contributed to the downfall of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
The Mahayuti coalition, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party, secured a decisive victory in last month’s assembly elections. Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP took the oath as chief minister, with Shinde and Pawar assuming deputy roles shortly after, 12 days following the election results.
Shiv Sena leader Gogavale confirmed that the ongoing discussions on portfolio distribution involve a request for the home department, an arrangement similar to the one when Fadnavis held the position during the previous Shinde-led government. Gogavale indicated that the discussions, possibly involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah, are expected to conclude in the next two days.
