Fadnavis expands ministry, 11 sworn in, Uddhav skips ceremony
July 08, 2016  10:30
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday expanded his council of ministers, inducting 11 ministers, including 10 new faces, in the exercise which left Shiv Sena unhappy as it was denied a Cabinet berth. 

Unlike in the Union Cabinet reshuffle, where Shiv Sena was ignored, Fadnavis inducted two legislators from the bickering ally as Ministers of State. The BJP, however, did not oblige the demand for a Cabinet berth from Sena whose chief Uddhav Thackeray was conspicuous by his absence at the swearing-in ceremony held at Raj Bhawan here this morning.

Six legislators were sworn-in as Cabinet ministers, including Ram Shinde who was elevated to the rank. He was earlier Minister of State for Home (rural). 

Sena MLAs Arjun Khotkar, from Jalna in Marathwada region, and Gulabrao Patil, from Jalgaon in north Maharashtra, were inducted in the ministry as junior ministers. 

Patil hails from former BJP minister Eknath Khadse's home turf Jalgaon, while Khotkar belongs to Jalna, the native district of state BJP president Raosaheb Danve. 
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