Maharashtra Govt Formation: Amid ongoing deliberations over the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s post, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the Varsha bungalow on Tuesday. The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, centred on preparations for the upcoming swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 5 December at Azad Maidan. Fadnavis also enquired about Shinde’s health following his recent medical check-up at Jupiter Hospital in Thane.
Shinde, who had been unwell and visited his village in Satara before returning to Mumbai on Monday, reassured the media after his hospital visit, saying, “I came for tests. My health is fine.” He refrained from answering further questions.
The Mahayuti alliance, which won a landslide victory in the 23 November Maharashtra elections, is expected to stake its claim to form the government tomorrow at 3:30 pm after the BJP’s legislature meeting which is scheduled to take place at 10 am.
Senior BJP leader Vijay Rupani, who has been appointed as the party’s central observer for the Maharashtra Legislature party’s meeting, arrived in Mumbai. “The government will surely be formed. The state legislature meeting will be held tomorrow and our leader will be elected,” he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
VIDEO | BJP leader Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp), who has been appointed as party’s central observer for its Maharashtra legislature party’s meeting, arrives in Mumbai. Here’s what he said after arriving.
“The government will surely be formed. The state legislature meeting will… pic.twitter.com/CtTDkZ0TzZ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 3, 2024
However, the final decision on the Chief Minister’s position remains pending, with the BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP in intense discussions over ministry allocations.
Maharashtra Govt Formation: Ajit Pawar’s NCP Demands Equal Representation
Amidst the power-sharing negotiations, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal demanded parity with Shinde’s Shiv Sena in terms of ministerial portfolios, citing the NCP’s superior strike rate. “If we look at the strike rate in our alliance, BJP is at number one, Ajit Dada’s NCP is at number two, and Shinde’s group is at number three. So our demand is that we should get as much space as them [Shinde Sena],” Bhujbal stated.
The NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, secured 41 seats out of 59 contested, achieving a 69.5% strike rate. In comparison, Shinde’s faction won 56 out of 81 seats, marking a 70.4% strike rate, while the BJP dominated with an 88.5% strike rate, winning 132 out of 148 seats.
According to sources, the NCP is seeking 11 portfolios, including seven cabinet positions and two Minister of State (MoS) posts in Maharashtra. Additionally, the party is reportedly requesting one Union cabinet post and a governorship, with senior leader Praful Patel being positioned for the Union Cabinet birth.
ALSO READ | Maharashtra Govt Formation: BJP Likely To Get 17 Cabinet Berths, Shinde Sena May Have To Contend With 7
Maharashtra Govt Formation: CM Decision Still In Flux
While it appears likely that Devendra Fadnavis will assume the Chief Minister’s role, with Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM, the role of Eknath Shinde remains unclear. Shinde’s Shiv Sena is reportedly demanding 12 key portfolios, including the Home Ministry. However, BJP insiders suggest the party is reluctant to cede control of this crucial ministry.
Shinde, who had previously aimed for the Home Ministry during Uddhav Thackeray’s tenure as CM, was assigned to the Urban Development Ministry at the time. Despite becoming CM after his rebellion within the Shiv Sena, the Home Ministry was retained by Fadnavis. Sources indicate that Shinde remains steadfast in his demand for the portfolio, which oversees one of the country’s most elite police departments.
Maharashtra Govt Formation: Shiv Sena Says Eknath Shinde ‘Not Upset’
Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale downplayed speculations of discord, stating, “Eknath Shinde did not meet earlier due to ill health. He is not upset. He had a meeting with the central leadership — Modi ji and Amit Shah — and there might be a meeting tomorrow as well. Decisions will be taken there.”
#WATCH | Mumbai | On Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale says ” He did not meet before due to ill health, he is not upset…He had a meeting with the central leadership – Modi ji and Amit Shah, and there might be a meeting tomorrow as well. Decisions will be taken… pic.twitter.com/CVs93vCWeV
— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024
According to news agency ANI, he also said, “Devendra Fadnavis had come to meet him Eknath Shinde to inquire about his ill health…”
#WATCH | On the meeting between caretaker CM of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale says, “Devendra Fadnavis had come to meet him Eknath Shinde to inquire about his ill health…”
On being asked if Eknath Shinde will take oath… pic.twitter.com/ejo8JxFlw7
— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024
As preparations for the swearing-in ceremony continue, Mahayuti leaders are expected to finalise their decisions during a high-level meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
(With Inputs By Megha Prasad, Ganesh Thakur, and Namrata Dubey)