Amid ongoing speculation about Maharashtra’s cabinet formation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday that the formula for cabinet expansion has been finalized and will be revealed soon.

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis addressed rumors linking his and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s recent visits to Delhi with the cabinet expansion process. “I have come for party-related meetings, and Ajit Pawar has come for his work. There is no need for speculation. Decisions in our party are taken by the parliamentary board and senior leadership. The BJP will decide its ministers, and the NCP and Shiv Sena will finalize their representatives. The formula for expansion is set, and people will know soon,” Fadnavis said.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar confirmed that the cabinet expansion would take place on December 14. Speaking to reporters, Pawar added that he had met NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar on his birthday and discussed the state government’s priorities, including Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) and Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

NCP leader Praful Patel also weighed in, stating that his recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah was a “courtesy call” and included discussions about sugarcane, cotton, and soybean farmers. Patel reiterated the cabinet expansion timeline, emphasizing that discussions were progressing smoothly.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024, winning 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena and NCP garnered 57 and 41 seats, respectively.

On December 5, Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Chief Minister, with Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers.

(With inputs from ANI)