Maha CM Eknath Shinde’s Newly Expanded Cabinet Does Not Include Any Female Minister. Why The Lack Of Representation?

By Kinjal Panchal Updated August 09, 2022 6:56 PM

We very well know the importance of having women in leadership positions, especially in the government. Because obviously, women are more understanding and are far more emphatic about the problems of women in general. And also because representation matters! In times like today, we look up to our female leaders and we need more role leaders in their positions as well. Well, in what comes as a piece of surprising news, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who recently expanded his cabinet of ministers, has not included a female minister in his new cabinet.

As per a report by NDTV, on August 9, Tuesday, CM Eknath Shinde expanded his cabinet by including 18 ministers in the newly formed one. Of these 18 ministers, 9 belong to the rebel Shiv Sena party and the other 9 are from the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). Women’s rights activists have also pointed this out. NCP MP Supriya Sule said Maharashtra is the first state to provide reservation to women. She also went on to say that when 50 per cent of India’s population is female, and yet they are not represented in the state cabinet. Supriya Sule also went on to say that this reflects BJP’s mindset.

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The BJP president Chandrakant Patil was also one of the 18 ministers who has been sworn into the new cabinet. The current strength of the cabinet stands at 20 which is less than half of 43, the maximum allowed strength. The swearing ceremony of the ministers took place on Tuesday in South Bombay. An aide close to the CM said that another ministry expansion will take place later again.