Despite a higher electoral representation (almost 50%), the Other Backward Class (OBC) got only seven ministers. Naseem Khan (Congress), Hassan Mushriff (NCP), and Faujiya Khan (NCP) are the lone representatives of the Muslim community.
Of the 40 ministers in the Democratic Front government, 20 represent the dominant ruling class Marathas. In terms of electoral merits, the Maratha community constitutes 33%.
Despite a higher electoral representation (almost 50%), the Other Backward Class (OBC) got only seven ministers. Naseem Khan (Congress), Hassan Mushriff (NCP), and Faujiya Khan (NCP) are the lone representatives of the Muslim community.
Though chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had said that he would try to strike a regional balance, it is not evident in the final result. At least 10 districts — Latur, Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Washim, Gadchiroli, Dhule, Hingoli, Gondia, Bhandara — out of 35 have gone unrepresented in the cabinet. The chief minister who has kept three cabinet berths from the Congress quota vacant will be under pressure in the winter session at Nagpur to give more representation to candidates from the cotton-growing belt of Vidarbha.
Despite political pressure in the faction-ridden party, Chavan managed to do a good balancing act, a Congress leader said. “One glance will tell you that the list has the approval of Sonia Gandhi,” he said. “It is not necessarily guided by leaders who wield political clout in cabinet formation. But I must say that their suggestions and objections have been taken into account.”
Regional divide: According to experts, Western Maharashtra (10), Marathwada (7), North Maharashtra (7), Vidarbha (7), Konkan (5) and Mumbai (4). Incidentally, both Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar are Marathas from the economically prosperous Western Maharashtra.
Adarsh effect: In the backdrop of the housing scam, the idea of doing away with corrupt ministers was just symbolic. Despite alleged charges of land deals against Narayan Rane, the Congress did not drop him from the cabinet. The party, however, did try to give out a strong signal by taking away the revenue portfolio from him. He is now the industries minister.
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