MUMBAI: Days after the Election Commission (EC) acknowledged the Eknath Shinde-led faction as the real Shiv Sena and designated it the weapon poll symbol speculation is rife that the Shinde-Fadnavis cabinet might be expanded prior to the spending plan session of the state legislature as the Shinde faction is promoting it.

The budget plan session begins on February 27.

A Shinde faction insider said that while a cabinet growth may assist them get more MLAs to change commitments and also give a message that CM Shinde is in control of the government, no cabinet expansion will occur unless the BJP comes on board.

The BJP, it is discovered, may not be so keen on a cabinet expansion, at least in the meantime.

The cabinet expansion is due for a long time.

There are 40 Shiv Sena MLAs who are with us and 10 independent MLAs who have actually supported us considering that July 2022.

Just 9 apart from CM Shinde have got a ministerial berth.

So, another 32 are waiting and a minimum of 14 of them are claiming a ministerial berth.

A discussion will occur between the senior leaders in the state and the BJP top brass in Delhi before any choice is taken, a Shinde faction leader said.In significant obstacle for Uddhav Thackeray, EC acknowledges Eknath Shinde faction as the genuine Shiv SenaAnother Shinde faction leader stated that a few of the party MLAs and independents have to be accommodated in the cabinet.

There is a possibility that the Shinde faction MLAs will get inducted in the cabinet.

The doors of the cabinet will also have to be opened if more MLAs, specifically those who were ministers in the MVA government, wish to come over and promise assistance to CM Shinde.

So, there is a possibility that a cabinet growth may occur, said the leader.

However, the Shinde faction leader said that any decision on a cabinet expansion will be taken only after consulting deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Amit Shah.

A cabinet expansion is not likely.

If there is a discussion and a green signal from Delhi it might happen, a BJP functionary said.EC acknowledges Eknath Shinde faction as real Shiv SenaMore than 40 days after he was sworn in as CM, Shinde had on August 9 last year revealed the portfolios for his cabinet ministers.

The then Governor BS Koshyari had administered the oath of workplace to 18 MLAs (9 each from the Shinde camp and the BJP) as ministers.

All 18 of them were cabinet ministers, and no MoS or junior ministers have actually been sworn in.

None of the 10 independents and MLAs from smaller sized parties that have actually backed the CM Shinde camp was inducted in the cabinet in August.