Amid speculation over the position of chief minister of Maharashtra, the caretaker CM Eknath Shinde announced on Sunday that the CM candidate from the Mahayuti alliance will be decided tomorrow. He stressed that he would give unconditional support to the decision as all three allies of the Mahayuti have a good understanding.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Shinde said, “I am doing good now. I had come here to rest after the hectic election schedule… I did not take any leave during my 2.5 years as the CM. People are still here to meet me. This is why I fell ill.”
#WATCH | Satara: Maharashtra caretaker CM Eknath Shinde says, “I am doing good now. I had come here to rest after the hectic election schedule… I did not take any leave during my 2.5 years as the CM. People are still here to meet me. This is why I fell ill… This government… pic.twitter.com/YYa8p7Sh1y
— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2024
Highlighting about people’s mandate and his unconditional support to the party leadership, he said, “This government will listen to the people… I have already given my unconditional support to the party leadership and I will support their decision. Our government’s work in the last 2.5 years will be written in golden letters in history. This is why people have given us a historic mandate and did not give the opposition a chance to elect a leader of the opposition. All three allies of the Mahayuti have a good understanding… The CM candidate will be decided tomorrow.”
According to a report by news agency PTI, during his visit to the native village of Dare in Satara district, Eknath Shinde stated that discussions on government formation were ongoing and assured that all decisions would be made collectively by the three Mahayuti allies — Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP.
Addressing speculation about his visit, Shinde clarified that he regularly visits his village and questioned why there should be any confusion, given that he had already made his position on the chief minister’s post clear last week.
The Shiv Sena leader had travelled to Dare on Friday amid rumours of dissatisfaction with the progress of the new government. However, after falling ill during his stay, he is expected to return to Mumbai by Sunday evening, according to a close aide.
Oer the rumours that his son and Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde is likely to be the CM, Shinde said talks were on. “One meeting took place in Delhi last week with (Union minister) Amit Shah and now we three alliance partners will discuss the nitty-gritty of government formation,” he said.
“The BJP is yet to announce its legislature party leader. We will fulfil people’s aspirations. There are no differences amongst us. We will take a decision in the interest of the people. There is no need to repeat my stand,” Shinde added.
Maharashtra’s New CM Finalised: Raosaheb Danve
Moreover, former Union minister and BJP leader Raosaheb Danve revealed on Sunday that the name of Maharashtra’s new chief minister has been finalised, though confirmation from senior leaders is still awaited, according to news agency PTI.
State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Saturday that the oath-taking ceremony for the new Mahayuti government will take place on the evening of December 5 at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend.
While the name of the next chief minister has not been officially disclosed, BJP sources indicate Devendra Fadnavis, who has previously served twice as chief minister and was deputy CM in the Eknath Shinde-led government, is the frontrunner.
In an interview with the regional news channel, Danve said, “Even people know who is going to be the next chief minister of Maharashtra. We are waiting for finalisation of the same person’s name by the senior leaders of our party.”
While ongoing discussions without an announcement of the name of the chief minister, he gave a hint that the public has a good idea of the candidate. “We are waiting for official stamping (approval) on the name,” the BJP leader added.
On the composition of the state cabinet, Danve further said, “It is the chief minister’s prerogative on whom to include in the state cabinet.” Danve answered that the caretaker CM’s health does not hinder functioning of the state administration when asked about Shinde’s visit to his village in Satara.
“When a chief minister visits his native place, we see pride in it,” he said. “When Manmohan Singh was the country’s prime minister of the country (during the previous UPA government), he underwent heart surgery. The administration continued to function,” Danve further added.
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