Shinde, Fadnavis Put Up United Front. Here’s How New Maharashtra Govt Could Shape Up – News18
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Amid massive speculation over the CM’s post in Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde said he would accept the BJP’s decision on the matter.
Despite the suspense, all three Mahayuti parties have remained tight-lipped and presented a united front. (PTI)
In a big development, Maharashtra’s caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said he would accept the BJP’s decision regarding the CM’s position and would not impede the process of government formation, days after the Mahayuti registered a landslide victory in the Assembly elections.
All three parties have presented a united front despite massive speculation over Devendra Fadnavis’ return to the CM post following the Mahayuti’s massive victory. The BJP won over 131 seats in the recent election, while the Shiv Sena and NCP secured 57 and 41 seats respectively, reducing the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to a measly 50 seats.
Shinde said he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and assured them that he would not object to their decision on the CM pick. “You make a decision. BJP’s decision is the final,” he said at a press conference, effectively clearing the way for BJP to choose a CM from their party.
All Eyes On NDA Meet Tomorrow
Meanwhile, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set to meet in New Delhi on Thursday (November 28) to discuss the highly-anticipated Maharashtra CM position. All three leaders of the Mahayuti parties – Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar – will be present at the meeting.
Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said there were no differences among the parties on the CM position and a decision would be taken unanimously. He also praised Eknath Shinde for clearing up all the doubts over a collective decision on the matter. “We will sit with our leaders soon and take a final decision,” he added.
Shinde and Pawar also confirmed the meeting and said they would attend to take part in final decisions over Maharashtra’s next Chief Minister.
Shinde’s Remarks Spark Buzz
Addressing the media, Shinde, who resigned as Chief Minister on Tuesday, thanked voters for giving a huge mandate to the Mahayuti alliance and said there was no resentment or any “speed breakers” in the bloc regarding the selection of the CM.
“I have told the Prime Minister that if there is any problem in forming the government in Maharashtra because of me, then do not bring any doubt in your mind and whatever decision you take, that decision is acceptable to me. You are the head of our family. The way people of BJP accept your decision, we will also accept your decision in the same way,” he stated.
Earlier today, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske said his camp would accept Fadnavis as the CM and that Shinde was not upset with BJP’s choice. “We are not Uddhav Thackeray who will go away if we are not given the chief minister post,” Mhaske said on Wednesday.
The money is riding on Devendra Fadnavis, who may become the Chief Minister for the third time. Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday said that everyone in the party wants Devendra Fadnavis to be the Chief Minister. While everyone awaits a final decision with bated breath, all three parties have shown a united front and said all decisions related to the government formation will be decided unanimously and with no disputes.
What Can Maharashtra’s Government Look Like?
While adding to the speculation of the next Maharashtra CM, Shinde’s comments have also led to speculation on his future role in the Mahayuti cabinet. The BJP has appointed a Chief Minister (Shinde) along with two deputy CMs (Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar) in Maharashtra after the MVA government fell in 2022.
A similar model will be used in Maharashtra, where the upcoming CM would be from the BJP, backed by two deputies from Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, according to NDTV sources. This arrangement shows that the BJP has the upper hand now, after winning 132 of the 235 seats won by the Mahayuti alliance.
BJP Sources told CNN-News18 that the central leadership had offered Shinde a cabinet minister role in the Union Cabinet or the role of the deputy CM under Fadnavis. He had demanded Home or Urban development, which were denied. In turn, Shinde has been asked to choose any cabinet role between Power, MSRDC, Revenue, PwD.
However, sources told The New Indian Express that Shinde refused to accept either the cabinet role offer or the deputy CM position. The Shiv Sena leader said if he is not made the CM, he should be made the convenor of the Mahayuti government, as the election was fought under his leadership. He also proposed that his son Shrikant Shinde should be made deputy CM of Maharashtra in Fadnavis’ government. The BJP is yet to respond positively to this development and the delay has postponed the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Maharashtra.
Some Shiv Sena leaders have backed Shinde as the next CM. However, Fadnavis’ candidature is not only backed by the BJP but the Ajit Pawar-led NCP as well. With the support of Shiv Sena as well, speculations are only increased over who will get the coveted CM post, while all three parties have remained tight-lipped so far, making tomorrow’s NDA meeting in New Delhi a big deal that will confirm the future of Maharashtra’s governance.
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