Last Updated:January 31, 2026, 19:12 IST

Devendra Fadnavis will assume charge of the finance department and lead the presentation of the annual budget in March.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (PTI File)

A key cabinet reshuffle in the Maharashtra government took place on Saturday, with Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar being allocated the Excise, Sports and Minorities Development portfolios.

The departments were earlier held by her late husband and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash in Baramati.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to take charge of the crucial Finance and Planning portfolios.

Sources indicated that the move is aimed at ensuring continuity and stability ahead of the upcoming Budget Session, during which the Maharashtra Budget for 2026–27 is scheduled to be presented in March.

According to sources, Fadnavis is likely to handle the finance department and present the annual budget himself.

Sunetra Pawar’s portfolio allocation follows her recent induction as Deputy Chief Minister in the BJP-led Mahayuti government, days after Ajit Pawar’s death left a major vacancy in the cabinet.

Ajit Pawar had earlier held several key ministries, including finance, excise, sports and minority affairs.

According to sources in the state government, most of the preparatory work for the upcoming budget had already been completed under Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

In this context, bringing in a new minister at the final stage, when last-minute policy decisions and fine-tuning are required, could have complicated the process.

Sources said that to ensure seamless coordination within the Mahayuti and with the Nationalist Congress Party, the Finance portfolio will be temporarily retained by the Chief Minister.

The decision is aimed at maintaining continuity during the crucial pre-budget period and preventing any disruption to budget preparations.

It was also noted that assigning the Finance and Planning departments to Sunetra Pawar at this stage, given her limited administrative experience, could have posed practical challenges, particularly with the budget presentation approaching.

However, sources emphasised that the current arrangement is only interim. After the budget is presented, the Finance and Planning portfolios are expected to revert to the Nationalist Congress Party, in line with the understanding within the ruling alliance.

Fadnavis had also managed the finance portfolio in 2023, and his expected return to the role is being seen within the ruling alliance as a practical decision, given the proximity of the budget session.

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