Bihar-like situation in Maharashtra: Vijay Shivtare on denied ministerial berth

Nagpur: The three alliance partners of the Maha Yuti shocked many by denying ministerial berths to former and senior ministers. Purandar MLA and former Minister Vijay Shivtare was one of them. He was among 39 MLAs, who were administered the oath of office at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur.

Expressing his displeasure openly, Shivtare said, “It is a Bihar-like situation in Maharashtra. Instead of striking a regional balance, they have preferred to keep various castes in good humour. I do not feel bad that I was denied a berth. However, the treatment meted out by the three leaders in the Maha Yuti is wrong. They are not even ready to meet.”

‘Won’t accept the ministership now’

When pointed out that the Maha Yuti leaders said that some more ministers would be inducted in the State Cabinet after 2.5 years. Has he been assured of a berth then? Shivtare replied, “I will not accept the ministership after 2.5 years. We are not slaves of these leaders.”

One berth is vacant

As many as 33 cabinet ministers and six state ministers were administered the oath of office on Sunday. Thus, there are 42 ministers, including CM Fadnavis, DyCMs Shinde and Pawar, in the State Cabinet while one berth is vacant.

The ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy on the lawns of Raj Bhavan in a grand ceremony. Supporters of every minister raised loud slogans when they took the oath of office. There are 19 BJP, 11 Shiv Sena (BT) and 9 NCP (AP) ministers in the cabinet. Among the six ministers of state, BJP has three, Shiv Sena (BT) two and NCP (AP) one.