Speaking to media persons, Parsekar said, “We have decided to expand the Cabinet only after Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Whatever decision we need to take regarding the Cabinet would be taken at that time.” He didn’t give any reasons for the postponement.
Parsekar had earlier announced that the berth vacant since the resignation of Francisco ‘Mickky’ Pacheco would be filled before Chaturthi. He had also hinted at reshuffling the portfolios of the existing ministers.
Speculation within the BJP points to Deputy Speaker Anant Shet getting a Cabinet berth, as Parsekar is of the strong view that senior BJP leaders should be given priority.
However, MLAs including Vishnu Wagh, Michael Lobo, Pramod Sawant, along with their supporters within the party are lobbying for the vacant berth.
Pacheco, who was sentenced for six months for slapping a junior engineer, had resigned on April 3, this year, after Supreme Court refused to give him relief. He was holding the Rural Development Agency and Archives portfolios.
