Maharashtra Assembly Convenes Special Three-Day Session; Work Schedule Announced

The 15th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today started its special three-day session in Mumbai. Pro-tem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar has already administered the oath of office to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and sworn in all 288 newly-elected MLAs. The process of oath taking for the lawmakers will go on for the next two days.

On December 9, the Governor's address to the Assembly will be presented, followed by the election of the Speaker. On December 6, nine-time MLA Kalidas Kolambkar from Wadala was appointed as the Pro-tem Speaker and was administered the oath by Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan. New Winter Session dates of the Assembly are finalized: It has decided to be held at Nagpur on December 16 to 21. As a precaution before that session, CM Devendra Fadnavis declares in advance of the enlargement of his own cabinet.
Speaker's Contest
Media reports suggest that Rahul Narwekar, the former Assembly Speaker, and BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar are favorites for the Speaker's position. There is a notion that Rahul Narwekar wants to be a Cabinet Minister, which might elevate Sudhir Mungantiwar as the Speaker.

Timeline of Cabinet Expansion
According to media reports, as soon as Devendra Fadnavis took the oath of Chief Minister, he mentioned that a cabinet expansion would take place soon. The expansion is likely on either December 11 or 12. The question of key portfolios is up for discussion. Ajit Pawar's NCP is likely to get Finance Department, Home Department possibly staying with BJP and Fadnavis, however, Eknath Shinde is said to be demanding that. The three alliance partners are now discussing distribution of portfolios and departments.