Mon Dec 16 09:58:27 UTC 2024: ## Maharashtra’s Maha Vikas Aghadi Government Expands Cabinet in Nagpur
**Nagpur, Maharashtra –** In a significant political development, the Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, underwent a major cabinet expansion on Sunday. Thirty-nine new ministers were sworn in at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur, marking the first cabinet expansion in the state’s second capital in 33 years.
The expansion brings the total number of ministers to 42. The BJP secured 19 ministerial berths, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena 11, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP 9. Of the new appointees, 33 are cabinet ministers and 6 are ministers of state. Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan administered the oaths.
This expansion follows the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance’s landslide victory in the November 2024 Assembly elections, where they won 230 out of 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party, followed by the Shiv Sena and the NCP. Initial hurdles in cabinet formation, including disagreements over ministerial positions, were reportedly resolved through negotiations.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the alliance partners have agreed to conduct a “performance audit” of ministers during their tenure. The cabinet expansion comes on the eve of the week-long Winter Session of the State Legislature, which begins today in Nagpur.
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