Maharashtra’s Representation in Modi 3.0 Government: Six MPs Sworn In as Ministers
Mumbai, 10th June 2024: In the latest development, six Members of Parliament (MPs) from Maharashtra have been included in the Modi 3.0 coalition government. Among them, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured four ministerial positions, while allies Shiv Sena and Republican Party of India (RPI) obtained one each. Notably, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, declined the BJP’s offer of Minister of State with independent charge, insisting on a cabinet berth for Praful Patel.
During the previous term of the Modi government (2019-24), Maharashtra had eight ministers representing the BJP and its allies. However, this number has now decreased to six. In the current government, BJP MPs Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal retained their positions as cabinet ministers. Additionally, Raksha Khadse, the BJP’s sole woman MP from Maharashtra, and first-time MP Murlidhar Mohol were sworn in as Ministers of State. Among the BJP’s allies, RPI chief Ramdas Athawale retained his position as a Minister of State with independent charge, while Prataprao Jadhav, from the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, also took oath as a Minister of State with independent charge.
Ajit Pawar’s NCP declined the offer of a Minister of State position, advocating for a cabinet berth for Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel due to his extensive experience. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized the importance of respecting coalition agreements, ensuring the NCP would be considered in future cabinet expansions.
In response, Ajit Pawar asserted the NCP’s willingness to wait for a cabinet berth. The eight ministers from Maharashtra who served in the Modi-led government from 2019-24 included Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Narayan Rane, Bhagwat Karad, Raosaheb Danve, Bharti Pawar, and Kapil Patil from the BJP, along with Ramdas Athawale of the RPI.
The BJP faced a setback in Maharashtra during the recent Lok Sabha elections, securing only nine seats compared to its 2019 tally of 23 out of 48 constituencies. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena led by Shinde won seven seats, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP secured one seat. Noteworthy winners from Maharashtra included Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Raksha Khadse, and Murlidhar Mohol, representing various constituencies in the state. Despite winning his seat, Narayan Rane was not reinstated in the Union cabinet. Additionally, three other BJP ministers from the previous government lost their seats in the recent elections.
