BJP leader meets ‘unwell’ Eknath Shinde
Mumbai: The uncertainty regarding the identity of Maharashtra’s new Chief Minister will be resolved on December 4, when the state BJP legislature party convenes to elect its new leader, as stated by a BJP official. In the context of Maharashtra’s chief ministerial selection, Devendra Fadnavis is increasingly regarded as the likely candidate for the position. Meanwhile, members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are engaged in discussions in preparation for the swearing-in ceremony of the new state government, which is scheduled for December 5.
On Monday, Ajit Pawar, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), traveled to Delhi, while Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis remained in Mumbai, where they met with party workers and leaders amid ongoing deliberations regarding the next chief minister. An official announcement regarding the new CM is anticipated on Wednesday, December 4. Additionally, Shrikant Shinde, the son of Eknath Shinde, dismissed rumors suggesting he is a leading candidate for the deputy chief minister position, clarifying that he is “not in the race for any ministerial role in the state.”
Maharashtra govt formation | Latest developments
BJP Appoints Central Observers: Following a statement from a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader regarding the selection of Devendra Fadnavis for the role of Maharashtra chief minister, the party has designated Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani as central observers for the upcoming meeting of its state legislature party. During this meeting, the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will elect their leader for the chief ministerial position.
CM and Deputy CM Uncertainty: Within Maharashtra, the BJP’s primary allies in the Mahayuti alliance, the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party, are anticipated to receive deputy chief minister roles in the forthcoming government. Eknath Shinde, the current caretaker chief minister, has expressed his willingness to allow the BJP to assume the chief minister’s position without obstruction. In the recently concluded state elections, the Mahayuti coalition secured 230 out of 288 assembly seats, with the BJP winning 132 seats, the Shiv Sena obtaining 57, and the NCP acquiring 41 seats.
Official Announcement Scheduled for December 4: The uncertainty surrounding the identity of Maharashtra’s new chief minister is expected to be resolved on December 4, when the state BJP legislature party convenes to elect its new leader, as reported by news agency PTI citing a senior party official. This meeting is scheduled for Wednesday morning at Vidhan Bhawan, according to the party official. BJP leader Girish Mahajan, who is regarded as an ally of Fadnavis, visited Eknath Shinde’s residence in Thane on Monday evening.
Shinde’s Son Denies Deputy CM Speculation: In light of rumors suggesting his candidacy for the deputy chief minister position in Maharashtra, Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde, stated on Monday that he has “no desire for a position in power.” He emphasized that he is not pursuing any ministerial role within the state. “Even after the Lok Sabha elections, I had an opportunity to become a minister in the central government. However, prioritizing my commitment to the party organization, I declined the ministerial position at that time. I reiterate that I have no desire for a position in power and am not in the race for any ministerial role in the state.”
