The much-awaited and delayed Maharashtra cabinet expansion will finally take place on Sunday, a day before the monsoon session of the state legislature gets underway. After holding a late night meeting with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the expansion announcement in New Delhi on Saturday. Upcoming elections, regional balance, fostering new leadership, and keeping its allies Sena and RPI in good humour seems to have informed the decisions. Expected inductions include the former leader of opposition in the state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, former minister Jaidutt Kshirsagar, BJP legislators Ashish Shelar, Atul Save and Anil Bonde along with Shiv Sena legislator Anil Parab. The names of Shiv Sena legislators Rajendra Kshirsagar and Tanaji Sawant are also under consideration. Sources, however, said Fadnavis may drop housing minister Prakash Mehta following the Lokayukta's strictures against him in the MP Mill compound SRA project. Others who may be axed include water supply minister Babanrao Lonikar, ministers of state Pravin Pote and Vidya Thakur. Meanwhile, though the Sena had proposed youth leader Aaditya Thackeray be appointed deputy chief minister, it may not press for it to avoid internal bickering. Instead, the party will be content with the post of deputy chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

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