BJP To Get Maharashtra CM Post, Plum Portfolios; Shinde Bargains For Urban Development – News18

Last Updated:November 29, 2024, 09:11 IST

Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said a meeting of Mahayuti would happen in Mumbai today for a final decision on the CM’s face. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a crucial meeting on Thursday night with Mahayuti leaders to end the deadlock over Maharashtra’s Chief Minister post, which sources said has been allocated to the BJP.

Amid the suspense over who would assume the state’s top post, sources told CNN-News18 that Thursday’s meeting primarily witnessed discussions around cabinet berth allocations, with Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde demanding at least 12 key ministerial berths in the new cabinet for Shiv Sena.

BJP President JP Nadda and Mahayuti leaders including Devendra Fadnavis and NCP’s Ajit Pawar were also part of the meeting, which Shinde described as “good and positive.” He confirmed that another meeting would happen in Mumbai today for a final decision on the CM’s face.

“The meeting was good and positive. This was the first meeting. We had a discussion with Amit Shah and JP Nadda…There will be another meeting of the Mahayuti. In this meeting, a decision will be taken about who will be the Chief Minister. The meeting will be held in Mumbai,” said Shinde.

Shinde, Pawar To Get Dy CMs Post: Sources

As the BJP has almost decided to continue with the formula of a Chief Minister and two Deputy CMs, sources said that Shinde sought the deputy CM’s post along with home and urban development departments for himself. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar is also likely to get the Deputy CM’s post along with key Finance, Minority Affairs, Women and Child Development portfolios.

Meanwhile, the BJP is eyeing to keep the Chief Minister’s post along with the Revenue Ministry, sources said, adding that a final decision will be taken after a meeting between all three parties later today.

Sources said that the new government formation in Maharashtra is likely to take place by December 2 or 5, with the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected Chief Minister and his deputies along with cabinet picks.

Shinde Leaves CM Decision With BJP

Shinde, who resigned from the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s post on Tuesday but continues in his caretaker role, had expressed his willingness to accept the BJP’s decision for the state’s top post.

“I have told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that I would not be an obstacle. We will go with whatever he decides,” Shinde said at a press conference in Thane on Wednesday. He also assured PM Modi of his unwavering support in the formation of the new government.

Speculations are rife that Fadnavis, who has been credited for Mahayuti’s hit show in Maharashtra elections, will return as Chief Minister, given the BJP’s dominant performance in the polls. However, an official decision is yet to be made, with Mahayuti leaders expected to finalise the matter today.

The Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, secured a thumping victory in the Maharashtra state assembly elections, bagging 230 seats in the 288-member assembly. The BJP alone claimed 132 constituencies, its highest-ever tally in the state, while its allies Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP also performed strongly, winning 57 and 41 seats, respectively.