Maharashtra Cabinet reshuffle: Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal switch ministries

In a minor reshuffle of portfolios in Maharashtra, Jayant Patil has now been given Water and Resources Development Ministry which was earlier given to Chhagan Bhujbal. Patil was earlier given the Finance & Planning and Public Health and Food Ministry. Chhagan Bhujbal, on the other hand, has now been given the Minority Development and Welfare Ministry. On Thursday, the portfolios were allocated to the ministers in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.

Read: Maharashtra portfolios allocated: Sena gets Home, NCP bags Finance; Cong also in the mix

Maharashtra Portfolio allocation

While Sena has bagged Home, Urban Development, Environment, Forests, Industries and Mining and Agriculture, NCP has been allocated portfolios such as Rural Development Water Resources, Finance and Public Heath. On the other hand, the Congress will handle the Public Works Department, Education, Women and Child Development and the Tribal Development ministries. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will be in charge of all other portfolios that have not been allocated to any Minister. This development comes nearly two weeks after Thackeray took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Read: Fadnavis reveals 'Ajit Pawar approached us, informing Sharad Pawar of BJP-NCP alliance'

Here are some of the important portfolios of the Ministers in Maharashtra: 

1. Uddhav Thackeray: All portfolios other than those allocated to other ministries

2. Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena): Home, Urban Development, Enviornment, Forests

3. Balasaheb Thorat (Congress): Revenue, School Education, Medical Education

4. Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP): Minority Development and Welfare Ministry

5. Jayant Patil (NCP): Water and Resources Development Ministry

6. Nitin Raut (Congress): Public Works Department, Women and Child Development, Tribal Development

7. Subhash Desai (Shiv Sena): Industries and Mining, Agriculture

Read: NCP can't decide Dy CM? Jayant Patil points to Sharad Pawar; Ajit ready for anything

Speculation over Deputy CM continues

As per the sources, a formula had been worked out whereby the three parties would get ministries proportionate to their strength in the Assembly. But a dispute over key porfolios had reportedly held up the process of allocating the ministries. Moreover, pressure was mounting on the government from the opposition in this regard after the announcement of the Winter session of the Maharashtra legislature. Speculation persists over the NCP's nominee for the post of Deputy CM. Ajit Pawar is one of the top contenders to become the Maharashtra Deputy CM. 

Read: Jayant Patil expresses happiness over new Maharashtra government