Uncertainty Looms In Mahayuti Camp As Shinde's Role Remains In Limbo; BJP Sets Dec 5 Date For Maharashtra Oath

In midst of uncertainty over the formation of the Maharashtra government, BJP sources revealed that party MLAs will meet on Monday (December 2) to decide on the legislative party leader.

The chosen leader will be sworn in as Chief Minister on Thursday (December 5) in Mumbai, reported India Today.

Photo Credit: PTI

This development comes amid speculation that caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is unhappy with the delay in finalising the top post, leading him to travel to his hometown and cancel a meeting of the Mahayuti alliance. However, Shiv Sena dismissed the rumours, stating that Shinde was unwell and that the meeting was likely to take place on Saturday.

Discussions regarding portfolio allocation and the Chief Minister's position have been further delayed after Shinde travelled to Satara following his return from Delhi, where he met BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Thursday.

"He isn't upset. He is unwell. It's not fair to say he went there because he was upset. He said he wouldn't cry but would fight for the welfare and development of the state. These predictions are wrong," stated outgoing state Minister Uday Samant.

Shinde had previously stated that the next alliance meeting regarding government formation would take place in Mumbai on Friday. Samant added, "Tomorrow (Saturday), he will return, and it's not as if meetings can only happen physically. It can also take place through video conferencing or mobile communication. As Eknath Shinde has said, the Maharashtra cabinet will be finalised soon."

The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance dominated the assembly elections, securing 233 out of 288 seats, with the BJP emerging as the largest party with a record 132 seats. Shiv Sena and the NCP also strengthened their positions, winning 57 and 41 seats, respectively. However, even a week after the results, the alliance has not decided on the next Chief Minister.

Reports indicate that Shinde is demanding key portfolios, such as the Home Department, as well as the Deputy Chief Minister's post, similar to BJP's Devendra Fadnavis, who held the Home Ministry while serving as Deputy Chief Minister.

Samant said, "All 60 MLAs together have conveyed this message to Shinde ji that we want him to become the Deputy Chief Minister. Eknath Shinde ji himself will make the decision."

"It is important for him to remain in the government as he introduced the Ladki Behan Yojana. Therefore, his presence in the government is crucial. Once again, there will be a meeting between Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, during which the cabinet expansion will be discussed in detail," he added.

Earlier, Shiv Sena leader and Shinde's close ally, Sanjay Shirsat, suggested that Eknath Shinde might not accept the position of Deputy Chief Minister.

Sources indicate that Shinde is willing to take on the role of Convener of the Mahayuti, rather than a second-in-command position in the Mahayuti 2.0 government.

However, the BJP remains resolute in its intention to appoint Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister. Shinde has repeatedly stated that he will not be an obstacle to government formation and will follow the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Chief Minister's post.