- विज्ञापन -
Mumbai: Amid ongoing uncertainty over the next Maharashtra Chief Minister, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis called acting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday, urging him to return to Mumbai from Satara, a party source revealed.
Shinde, who has spent two days in Satara, is expected to return to his residence in Thane by evening. Discussions are anticipated to begin regarding the distribution of Cabinet portfolios among the Mahayuti partners, including the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The talks will also likely cover the appointment of a new convenor for the Mahayuti alliance and the selection of a new Speaker. Fadnavis, widely considered a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post, spoke to Shinde as the alliance partners continue to negotiate the next government, while delaying the announcement of the CM’s name.
Sources indicated that Shiv Sena is pushing for a strong influence over Cabinet portfolios. Shinde’s recent trip to his native village in Satara, which began on Friday, was seen as a sign of his dissatisfaction with the ongoing discussions on government formation and the choice of the new CM.
With just days remaining before the new CM is sworn in, Shinde’s return to Thane is expected to expedite discussions on the Cabinet distribution among the alliance parties. The BJP emerged as the largest party in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, securing 132 seats, while Shiv Sena won 57 and NCP 41.
Although the Mahayuti contested under Shinde’s leadership, the BJP has made it clear it does not intend to relinquish the Chief Minister’s position. The BJP has also reportedly rejected the idea of appointing Shinde’s son, Shrikant, as deputy CM in the new government.
The swearing-in ceremony for the 31st Maharashtra Chief Minister is scheduled for December 5 at 5 p.m. at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The event is expected to be attended by several National BJP leaders.
Despite the election results being declared over a week ago, details about the next government have yet to be finalized. Although BJP has not formally elected Fadnavis as the legislature party leader, sources suggest he will take the oath as Chief Minister for the third time. Fadnavis had previously served as CM from 2014 to 2019 and briefly in 2019 with Ajit Pawar as deputy CM for a short 80-hour period.
