Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reiterated his demand for the crucial home portfolio in the state’s new government. According to Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogavale, the three Mahayuti allies—BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—are currently engaged in discussions regarding the allocation of portfolios.
Following the decisive victory in last month’s assembly elections, the Mahayuti coalition formed the government, with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as Chief Minister, and Shinde and NCP’s Pawar appointed as Deputy Chief Ministers. However, Shinde is adamant about taking charge of the home department, a portfolio previously held by Fadnavis during the earlier Shinde-led government.
Gogavale confirmed that Shinde has requested the same arrangement, where the home department, overseeing the state police, is under his leadership. He also hinted that talks were likely being held with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the matter. The Shiv Sena hopes to finalize the portfolio allocations within the next two days.
Shinde’s demand for the home department is seen as significant, as the role involves overseeing state security and policing. Despite initial reluctance to accept the deputy CM role, Shinde has remained firm on this issue following his party’s split with Uddhav Thackeray’s faction in 2022, which led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.