Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday night during his visit to the national capital, triggering fresh political speculation over the impending Union Cabinet expansion.
The meeting, which lasted around 45 minutes, was attended by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde and the six MPs who recently joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena from the Uddhav Thackeray faction.
According to sources, a range of issues was discussed behind closed doors, although the exact details of the meeting have not been officially disclosed.
Sources indicated that the six newly inducted MPs received a significant assurance from Amit Shah during the discussion, particularly regarding development works in their respective constituencies.
The meeting comes amid growing speculation that the Centre may soon expand the Union Council of Ministers.
Political circles have been abuzz with reports that Shrikant Shinde is likely to be inducted as a Cabinet minister, while the Shiv Sena could also secure an additional Minister of State berth.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Eknath Shinde described it as a courtesy call.
“We met Amit Shah to seek his blessings. We also submitted proposals and letters related to development projects in the constituencies represented by our MPs,” Shinde said.
He further stated that Shah had advised Shrikant Shinde to coordinate closely with both the party’s senior and newly elected MPs to ensure better organisational and developmental work.
According to sources, the six MPs who recently crossed over from the Thackeray camp also raised issues concerning development projects in their constituencies during the meeting. Shah is learnt to have assured them that there would be no shortage of funds for genuine development works, asking them to proceed without concern.
The reported assurance has fuelled expectations that the constituencies represented by the newly inducted MPs could witness an accelerated pace of development in the coming months.
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