Key Highlights:
- Historic Sibling Swearing-In: BJP’s Pankaja Munde and NCP’s Dhananjay Munde, once fierce political rivals, were sworn in as ministers in Maharashtra’s cabinet.
- Cabinet Expansion: A total of 39 MLAs from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance took the oath at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur.
- Controversy Over Dhananjay’s Inclusion: Despite protests related to the sarpanch murder case in Beed district, Dhananjay Munde secured a ministerial berth.
- Political Rivalry: The Munde siblings had fiercely contested against each other in the 2014 and 2019 assembly elections.
- Pankaja’s Redemption: After losing two elections, BJP appointed Pankaja to the Legislative Council, paving the way for her ministerial comeback.
Nagpur: In a dramatic turn of events, Maharashtra politics witnessed a unique moment as siblings Pankaja Munde of the BJP and Dhananjay Munde of the NCP were sworn in as cabinet ministers together on Sunday. Once bitter political rivals, the Munde siblings’ joint induction into the cabinet has sparked widespread discussion across the state.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur, marked a significant expansion of the Mahayuti (Grand Alliance) government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with 39 MLAs taking oath.
Sibling Rivalry and Reconciliation
The Munde family’s political rivalry has been a staple of Maharashtra politics for years.
- Dhananjay Munde’s Defection to NCP: Dhananjay left the BJP and joined the NCP due to differences with their uncle, the late Gopinath Munde.
- 2014 Assembly Clash: The siblings faced off in the Parli assembly constituency, with Pankaja emerging victorious.
- 2019 Reversal: Dhananjay returned the favor by defeating Pankaja by over 40,000 votes, a loss that forced her into political exile.
The distance between the siblings only deepened as Dhananjay became a minister in the earlier NCP-Congress alliance government while Pankaja remained sidelined.
Pankaja Munde’s Redemption Journey
Pankaja’s political fortunes took a hit after her 2019 assembly defeat and a narrow 6,000-vote loss in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Beed constituency.
- Despite these setbacks, the BJP appointed her as a member of the Legislative Council, signaling her importance within the party.
- Her induction into the Fadnavis cabinet now marks a political comeback, ending her years of exile.
Controversy Surrounding Dhananjay Munde’s Inclusion
Dhananjay’s appointment as a minister was not without opposition.
- Protests erupted over his alleged involvement in the Masajog sarpanch murder case in Beed district.
- However, the NCP’s alliance with the BJP and Dhananjay’s support for Ajit Pawar’s leadership secured his position in the cabinet.
The Changing Political Landscape
The siblings’ joint induction reflects the shifting political dynamics in Maharashtra, where alliances and rivalries often blend for strategic gains.
- Dhananjay Munde’s loyalty to Ajit Pawar and Pankaja Munde’s resilience within the BJP have culminated in this rare political reunion.
Cabinet Expansion at a Glance
The swearing-in of 39 MLAs from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance signals a significant step in consolidating the government’s strength.
- This expansion aims to balance regional representation and reward loyalty within the coalition.
Here is the full list of ministers who took oath today-
Bharatiya Janata Party: 19
Chandrashekhar Bawankule
Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil
Chandrakant Patil
Girish Mahajan
Ganesh Naik
Mangalprabhat Lodha
Jaykumar Rawal
Pankaja Munde
Atul Save
Ashok Uike
Ashish Shelar
Shivendra Raje Bhosale
Jaykumar Gore
Sanjay Sawakare
Nitesh Rane
Akash Fundkar
Madhuri Misal (MoS)
Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar (MoS)
Meghana Bordikar Sakore (MoS)
Nationalist Congress Party: 9
Hasan Mushrif
Dhananjay Munde
Dattatraya Bharne
Aditi Tatkare
Manikrao Kokate
Narhari Zirwal
Makrand Jadhav Patil
Babasaheb Patil
Indranil Naik (MoS)
Shiv Sena : 11
Gulabrao Patil
Dada Bhuse
Sanjay Rathod
Uday Samant
Shambhuraje Desai
Sanjay Shirsat
Pratap Sarnaik
Bharat Gogawale
Prakash Abitkar
Ashish Jaiswal (MoS)
Yogesh Kadam (MoS)
The inclusion of the Munde siblings in the Maharashtra cabinet is more than just a political milestone; it is a testament to how rivalries can transform into alliances in the ever-dynamic world of Indian politics. With both Pankaja and Dhananjay now part of the same cabinet, their journey from electoral adversaries to colleagues is bound to remain a hot topic in Maharashtra’s political discourse.
