In a unanimous resolution passed during a meeting in Mumbai on Sunday, Shiv Sena leaders elected Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as their legislative party leader. The decision, proposed by Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant, granted Shinde full authority to decide on the cabinet and swearing-in process.
In the Maharashtra Assembly election results, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde secured a decisive victory in the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency. Shinde garnered 1,59,060 votes, defeating Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Prakash Dighe, who managed to get just 38,343 votes, with a massive victory margin of 1,20,717 votes.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Samant said, “CM Eknath Shinde has been unanimously elected as the leader of the party. We have given all authority to him to decide on the cabinet and swearing-in process.”
Newly elected Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat indicated that Mahayuti leaders might head to Delhi on Monday for further discussions. “Every party worker wants their leader to be the CM, but the final decision lies with Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar,” Shirsat said.
Rahul Shewale, another Shiv Sena leader, echoed the sentiment, noting that all newly elected MLAs had unanimously supported Shinde’s leadership.
Landslide victory for Mahayuti
The decision follows the Mahayuti alliance’s resounding success in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The BJP-led coalition, which also includes Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP faction under Ajit Pawar), secured 230 out of 288 seats.
The BJP emerged as the largest party, winning 132 out of 148 contested seats, while Shiv Sena secured 57 and the NCP 41. In contrast, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) faced a major defeat. The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, won 20 seats; Congress managed 16, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction secured 10 seats.
Shinde addresses beneficiaries of ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shinde met beneficiaries of the “Majhi Ladki Bahin” scheme on Sunday, expressing gratitude for their support in the Mahayuti’s historic win. Addressing the gathering, Shinde reiterated his commitment to increasing the scheme’s benefit to Rs 2,100 as promised.
“This government is yours,” Shinde said. “You chose Mahayuti again, and we are committed to working for the growth of Maharashtra. This is a common people’s government.” The Maharashtra Assembly elections were held in a single phase on November 20, with results declared on November 23.
