Maharashtra: Shinde will be replaced, Ajit Pawar could become CM, claims Raut after portfolio allocation
India TV NewsRaut's claim: Soon after the portfolio allocation to the newly inducted NCP MLAs in the Maharashtra government, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar could take charge of the helm of the government while sitting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will 'certainly' be replaced. In a much-talked-about cabinet expansion of the Maharashtra government after the induction of nine NCP MLAs including Ajit Pawar, the portfolio allocation was done today, nearly 12 days after the shocking move earlier this month, leading to the NCP split. Danve said that during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the Shiv Sena MLAs had accused Ajit Pawar of depriving them of funds, and today the same NCP leader has been given the responsibility of Finance in the state. As per sources, the delay in the Maharashtra cabinet expansion was credited to a stalemate between Ajit Pawar's camp and the Eknath Shinde group over the money and arranging portfolios.