Maharashtra’s caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the BJP will decide the state’s next chief minister, and he will fully support the decision, while asserting that there were no differences among the Mahayuti alliance partners regarding government formation.
Speaking to reporters at his native Dare village in Satara district, Shinde said talks were ongoing about the new government, and all decisions would be made through consensus by the Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP.
Shinde, who had returned to his village on Friday amid speculation about his dissatisfaction with the government formation process, clarified that there should be no confusion about his position. He had already stated his support for the BJP’s decision regarding the CM post last week. An aide mentioned that Shinde had fallen ill but was expected to return to Mumbai on Sunday evening.
The Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, secured a landslide victory in the assembly elections, the results of which were announced on November 23.
The oath-taking ceremony for the new government will be held on December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend, said state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
Although there has been no official announcement, BJP sources suggest that Devendra Fadnavis, who has served as chief minister twice and as deputy CM in the last Shinde-led government, is the frontrunner for the post.
Shinde reaffirmed his support for the decisions of Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in selecting the next CM. He added, “I have already said the decision on the CM’s post taken by the BJP leadership will be acceptable to me and Shiv Sena and will have my full backing.”
Responding to a question about his health, Shinde said he was feeling better and had come to his village to rest.
“We will provide a government that people want. Our responsibility has now grown because of the massive mandate given by people as reciprocation of our work in the last two-and-a-half years,” he said.
On speculation that his son, Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde, might be appointed deputy CM, Shinde confirmed that discussions were ongoing. He mentioned that a meeting had taken place last week with Union Minister Amit Shah, and the three alliance partners would continue to discuss the details of government formation.
“The BJP is yet to announce its legislature party leader. We will fulfill the people’s aspirations. There are no differences amongst us. We will take a decision in the interest of the people,” Shinde added.
