By IANS,
New Delhi : Murli Deora of the Congress in Maharashtra Thursday retained the cabinet portfolio of petroleum and natural gas while Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel from the state was renamed as the civil aviation minister in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s new government.
In all, Maharashtra got five cabinet posts and two ministers of state with independent charge.
Congress’ Sushil Kumar Shinde, a Dalit leader from Maharashtra, has also retained his portfolio of power.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, a debutant union minister, was given the charge of heavy industries and public enterprises.
Congress leader Mukul Wasnik has been given the ministry of social justice and empowerment.
Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan, a minister of state with independent charge, has the largest number of portfolios, which include ministry of science and technology, minister of state in the prime minister’s office, ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions and minister of state of parliamentary affairs.
Patel will continue to be the minister of state with independent charge of civil aviation.
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar was already named as the agriculture minister, the post he held in the previous government.