Mumbai: In a late night meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Amit Shah in Ahmedabad, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has received a clear mandate for the proposed Cabinet reshuffle as well as the decision of whether or not to make Narayan Rane a minister. To reportedly take a final call on how to manage Shiv Sena’s possible reaction, Mr Fadnavis and Mr Shah will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 28.
Mr Fadnavis’ senior Cabinet colleague and revenue minister Chandrakant Patil was also present for the meeting. There has been buzz about Mr Fadnavis working on the Cabinet reshuffle plans for quiet some time now. The BJP wants to accommodate its newly inducted alliance partner Narayan Rane into the Cabinet. It is also being said that Mr Rane could be given the public works department (PWD), which currently comes under Mr Patil. Both leaders from Maharashtra might have discussed the issue with Mr Shah in detail.
There is possibility that major alliance partner Uddhav Thackeray could walk out from government if the BJP inducts Mr Rane, leading to political instability in the state. The BJP is reportedly working on a plan B in case the Sena takes such a decision. It is believed that Mr Fadnavis could have updated Mr Shah on the issue.
To make the party ready for the General and Assembly elections in 2019, Mr Fadnavis is expected to shuffle his cards. The BJP leaders are indicating that Mr Fadnavis has been given a complete mandate regarding this. “Rane and Shiv Sena is a tricky issue for the party and discussions are going on across channels for the same. They could take a final decision very soon,” said a senior minister in the state Cabinet.
Mr Fadnavis will meet PM Modi and Mr Shah on November 28 in Delhi. It is said that PM Modi will then give the final nod for the future course of action.
