Maharashtra CM Shinde unwell, Fadnavis in Delhi amid cabinet expansion buzz

Mumbai, Aug 04: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived in Delhi on Thursday, amid speculation of the much-delayed expansion of the state council of ministers.

Fadnavis was expected to meet top BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief J P Nadda, to discuss the political situation in the state even as the Supreme Court continued to hear a bunch of petitions in connection with the change of government in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was indisposed and advised rest by doctors, stayed back in Mumbai.

''Chief Minister was feeling unwell due to over exertion in the last few days. So he decided to take a day off to rest," Shinde's office said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Deepak Kesarkar, spokesperson of the Shinde camp, said the cabinet expansion will be held before Sunday.

While BJP leader Sudhir Munganitwar said he believed that the cabinet expansion will take place before August15 so thatthe guardianministrs can hoist the Tricolour in their respective districtson the 75th year of Independence.

Shinde and Fadnavis were sworn in as chief minister and deputy chief minister, respectively on June 30 after the then incumbent Uddhav Thackeray quit the post due to a rebellion in the Shiv Sena ranks.

Shinde and Fadnavis have been holding fort as a two-member cabinet, apparently awaiting the decision of the apex court.

Speculation has been rife in Mumbai about an impending expansion of the council of ministers either on Friday or early next week.

The opposition parties in Maharashtra took jibes at Shinde and Fadnavis over the delay in the expansion of the cabinet.

"As reported by media, Eknath Shinde cancels all his programs suddenly citing instructions from doctors to rest, then Devendra Fadnavis rushes to Delhi to finalize ministry. Coincidence of events or evidence of who is dictating the Maharashtra govt? Join the dots people," NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto said on Twitter.