‘Unconditional Support for Any Decision by PM, Shah & BJP Chief,’ Says Shinde Amid Maharashtra CM Speculations
'Unconditional Support for Any Decision by PM, Shah & BJP Chief,' Says Shinde Amid Maharashtra CM Speculations
Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde affirms loyalty to BJP-led Mahayuti alliance as suspense builds over Maharashtra’s Chief Ministerial announcement.
Amid ongoing deliberations over the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena chief and caretaker CM, reiterated his unconditional support for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s leadership decision. Speaking from Satara, Shinde credited the alliance’s governance over the past 2.5 years for their decisive win in the recent Assembly elections.
Even one week after the declaration of the Maharashtra Assembly election results, Mahayuti has not shared details of the next government. The BJP is reported to have also refused to accommodate Shinde’s son Shrikant as a deputy chief minister in the new government.
Shinde, recovering from illness, said, “I have already given my unconditional support to the party leadership, and I will stand by their decision.” He confirmed that the alliance would announce its CM candidate on Monday.
Mahayuti Alliance: A Historic Mandate
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a historic victory in the November 23 Assembly elections, with the BJP winning 132 seats, Shiv Sena securing 57, and NCP bagging 41 in the 280-member Assembly. The opposition suffered a significant blow, failing to secure enough seats to claim the Leader of the Opposition post.
Key Players in CM Race
BJP leader and former CM Devendra Fadnavis is widely viewed as the frontrunner for the Chief Ministerial role. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar of the NCP clarified that the BJP would lead the government, with deputy CM posts allocated to other coalition partners.
Senior Mahayuti leaders, including Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar, recently met with BJP’s central leadership in Delhi to finalize the Chief Ministerial decision.
BJP sources have ruled out the names of Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol, Chandrakant Patil, and Vinod Tawde as the CM candidates, reiterating that Fadnavis will be the party’s natural choice.
Shinde’s Health Update
Shinde, who has been battling fever, throat infection, and body pain for the past two days, is under medical supervision. His physician, Dr. RM Patre, assured that Shinde is recovering, stating, “He is doing fine now. We have administered antibiotics, and a team of doctors is attending to him.”
As Maharashtra awaits the announcement of its next Chief Minister, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has underscored its unity and commitment to fulfilling its mandate.
