MVA fails to reach conclusion

Mumbai: The much-awaited portfolio allotment in the Uddhav Thackeray-led state cabinet has once again been delayed, with the Sena, NCP and Congress unable to arrive at any consensus on the issue.

Sources indicated that the talks are still in the “final stage” and the ministers will “soon” be allotted their portfolios. The government plans to carry out the allocation of portfolios before the winter session which is slated to begin on December 16 in Nagpur.

Senior minister Balasaheb Thorat, who is also the state Congress chief, indicated that portfolio allocation within the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government – comprising the Sena, NCP and Congress – will be carried out soon.

“The three parties have come together in the wake of the changing political situation in the state. There are no differences among us. We want to run this government for five years. Hence, the parties will work according to the common minimum programme,” said Mr Thorat.

The farmers in the state are facing huge problems due to unseasonal rains and floods. The government wants to provide maximum help to them, he added.

Apart from Mr Thackeray, the swearing-in of Sena’s Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai, NCP’s Jayant Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal, and Congress’ Balasaheb Thorat and Nitin Raut was held on November 28 at Shivaji Park.

After this, it was expected that the allocation of portfolios would also be carried out within a couple of days. However, even after 12 days, no decision has been taken in this regard.

Contrary to earlier reports, the home department is likely to go to the Sena instead of the NCP.

According to sources, the Chief Minister has demanded the home department and is willing to part ways with the urban development department, which the Sena had sought earlier. This would be the first time that Shiv Sena will control the home department.