Cong-NCP to swear in experienced hands in Assembly today
Cong-NCP to swear in experienced hands in Assembly today
There will be no surprises as the Congress-NCP alliance takes oath in the Maharashtra Assembly today. Sources claimed that both parties are expected to swear-in experienced leaders rather than experiment with new faces.
While the NCP has more or less zeroed in on the ministers, the Congress is yet to ascertain its aspirants, who will take oath today.
Though the Congress has 23 ministerial berths, it is expected to swear in only 18 ministers, keeping around four berths vacant to take care of rebellion and unexpected demands.
Most Cabinet ministers from the last government are expected to find place in the ministry. These include Narayan Rane, Patangrao Kadam, Harshvardhan Patil, Chandrakant Handore, Arif Naseem Khan and Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.
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The party also had to contend with aspirations of other senior players including its state president Manikrao Thakre, former CM Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar and Mumbai president Kripashankar Singh. All three are said to be aspiring for important positions.
More experience
According to NCP sources, the names of the 20 ministers along with their portfolios will be faxed to the governor by today morning.
The list will include the names of the 14 Cabinet and six state ministers.
All the ministers who have served in the ministry for the last decade are expected to be there.
Uday Pratap Singh, spokesperson for the Mumbai NCP said, "Leaders with over 10 years of experience are the best to handle the ministries.
The likelihood of young faces being absorbed in the ministry are also high."
Home Run
While Chhagan Bhujbal will remain the deputy CM, the struggle for the Home ministry is a worrying factor within the party.
Two former home ministers RR Patil and Jayant Patil, along with Ajit Pawar, who wanted to be the Deputy CM, are also in the race.
However, rumours of Pawar being given the People Works Department are strong, whereas Jayant Patil may be given the Finance department.
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