Maha portfolios: Fadnavis keeps home, Shinde UD, Ajit finance

BJP retains 20 berths, Shiv Sena 12 and NCP 10. BJP insiders feel seniors dealt unfairly; Sena insiders feel Shinde has kept best for himself, aides Surendra P Gangan and Shailesh Gaikwad

- Surendra P Gangan and Shailesh Gaikwad

MUMBAI: Six days after the first expansion of the state cabinet was announced, on December 15, the Mahayuti government allocated the portfolios on Saturday, the last day of the winter session of the state legislature, after receiving a nod from Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan.

BJP has retained 20 ministerial berths, Shiv Sena 12 and NCP 10 berths.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis retained home and energy departments. Of his two deputies, Eknath Shinde will head urban development, housing and public works (public enterprise) while Ajit Pawar will continue to head finance with the addition of the excise department.

While the BJP has retained several key departments, of its allies, Shiv Sena bagged plum ministries - after Shinde's prolonged parleys with the BJP - compared to NCP.

Among the key departments, BJP has retained home, energy, revenue, public works, water resources (irrigation), rural development and tribal development. Shiv Sena has got urban development, housing, industries, public health, social justice, agriculture and MSRDC, which Shinde was keen on. NCP has managed to get finance, excise, cooperation, and women and child welfare, which is implementing the Ladki Bahin Yojna.