Shortly after Shiv Sena alleged that the inclusion of Maharashtra leader Bhagwat Karad in the Union Council of Ministers instead of Gopinath Munde’s daughter Pritam Munde was an attempt to finish the political career of her sister Pankaja Munde, the latter as well as BJP reacted and said that the claims were ‘rumours’. Munde said that she and her sister had never demanded a ministerial berth in the Modi 2.0 Cabinet.

“Pritam Munde and I never demanded anything (Ministerial Berth). I have no differences with those who have taken the oath as they are also the followers of Gopinath Munde,” Pankaja Munde said, news agency ANI quoted.

“Who told you they are angry? Don’t spread rumours and malign them,” said Fadnavis.

Rane inducted into Cabinet because of his capabilities: Fadnavis

Earlier this week, PM Narendra Modi carried out a massive reshuffle of his Cabinet. While 12 sitting ministers resigned, 43 new faces were inducted into the Union Cabinet. Maharashtra’s political circles were abuzz with speculations that Pritam Munde could be inducted into the Cabinet. However, she failed to find any place. Four Maharashtra leaders were inducted into the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, the induction of Narayan Rane, a former Shiv Sena leader, into the Cabinet has set the rumour mills buzzing that the possibility of a patch-up between estranged allies Shiv Sena and BJP is now over. Fadnavis, however, said that Shiv Sena and BJP are not enemies and any decision on patch up will be taken as per prevailing situations. He further said that Narayan Rane was inducted into the union cabinet because of his ‘capabilities’.