Maharashtra’s caretaker Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, expressed optimism and positivity following his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda on Thursday night, amidst ongoing suspense over the selection of the state’s next Chief Minister. Eknath Shinde described the first post-election meeting as “good and positive,” signaling that the discussions about the Chief Minister’s position were progressing, but the final decision would require further consultations.
In a statement to the media, Eknath Shinde confirmed that another meeting of the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, would be held soon in Mumbai. “This was the first meeting. There will be another meeting of the Mahayuti where a decision will be taken about who will be the Chief Minister,” Eknath Shinde said, referring to the next step in finalizing the CM candidate. He reiterated that no obstacles had arisen regarding the CM’s post, emphasizing that his role in the alliance and the title of “Ladla Bhai” (favored brother) meant more to him than any official designation.
Eknath Shinde’s remarks came after he declared on Wednesday that he would respect any decision made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Chief Minister position, underscoring his loyalty to the party leadership. The Mahayuti leaders gathered in Delhi for the meeting, which also included BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and NCP’s Ajit Pawar, to discuss the formation of the new government in Maharashtra.
Sources indicate that the BJP is likely to hold the Chief Minister’s post in the new government, with Amit Shah reportedly giving his approval for two deputy chief ministers—one each from the Shiv Sena and NCP. The formal decision about the CM’s choice is expected to be finalized on Saturday when the BJP’s MLAs meet in Mumbai.
Devendra Fadnavis, in a separate statement, dismissed any rumors of discord within the Mahayuti alliance, stressing that the alliance had always functioned collectively and that the decision on the Chief Minister would be made after consulting all leaders involved. The Maharashtra Assembly election results were declared on November 23, with the BJP securing 132 seats, the Shiv Sena 57, and the NCP 41, making the BJP the largest party in the 280-member assembly. Despite this, the decision on the Chief Minister remains pending, with all eyes on the upcoming meeting to finalize the leader of the new government.
