Maharashtra cabinet expansion: 10 Shiv Sena MLAs join BJP-led Devendra Fadnavis government

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena joined the BJP-led Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra Friday, giving the state a BJP-Sena administration again after 15 years.

Ten Sena ministers were among the 20 new ministers inducted Friday, the other ten being from the BJP. Ten of the 20 ministers were at Cabinet level, five each from the BJP and the Sena.

The Sena’s induction into the BJP government marks a first, with a party sitting in the Opposition switched sides to become a part of the government.

Two more Sena ministers are expected to take the oath in the next Cabinet expansion, possibly after the Winter Session of the state legislature.

The Congress has staked claim over the post of Leader of Opposition after Eknath Shinde submitted his resignation before being sworn in as a cabinet minister

“Congress today formally staked its claim on the post, through a letter submitted to the Speaker,” state legislature principal secretary Anant Kalse said.

The NCP, which has 41 MLAs, has announced it will stake claim to the LoP post. However, the Speaker has not received its claim so far, Mr Kalse said.