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Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday contacted caretaker CM Eknath Shinde to inquire about his health, said sources.
Eknath Shinde returned to Mumbai early on Monday after recovering from a brief illness in his hometown Satara | File Image/PTI
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday called caretaker CM Eknath Shinde to inquire about his health, said sources familiar with the matter, with suspense still brewing over the new CM’s face.
Reports claimed that Shinde, who returned to Mumbai early Monday morning after recovering from a high fever in his hometown Satara, has cancelled all his appointments following doctors’ advice to rest.
Even after 10 days of the Maharashtra election results, the formation of the new government remains in limbo, with Mahayuti leaders yet to decide on the new CM.
All eyes were on Shinde, with expectations that discussions on power-sharing would resume after his comeback from a brief illness. However, the official announcement on government formation is expected to hit further delay owing to Shinde’s health conditions.
‘BJP To Decide On New CM Face’
On his return to Thane on Sunday, Shinde had reiterated that the BJP, which emerged as the single largest party in the Maharashtra elections with 132 seats, would decide on the new Chief Minister and assured his full support, ruling out any differences in Mahayuti over government formation.
Shinde added that he will sit together with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar to discuss issues pertaining to power-sharing in Mahayuti.
With meetings between the three leaders seeming unlikely today, Shiv Sena leaders have indicated that the meeting could take place on Tuesday.
Reacting to media reports suggesting discontent in Mahayuti parties over the CM’s position, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said, “Eknath Shinde has said this in a press conference that Mahayuti govt will be formed. He also said that I am not a hindrance, we (Shiv Sena) don’t have any demand.”
“After saying things with this much clarity, I think putting allegations against him isn’t good. Whatever senior leaders will decide, we will accept that. There is no difference in Mahayuti. I think there will be a meeting between the leaders – Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar regarding portfolios and all the confusion will be cleared,” he added.
What Next In Maharashtra?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will appoint the observers for Maharashtra by Monday evening and the Legislative Party meeting to elect Devendra Fadnavis as the party leader will be held on December 4, sources said, confirming that Shinde will get the Deputy CM post.
Earlier, speculations were rife that Shinde is pitching his son Shrikant Shinde for the Deputy CM’s post or a Home Ministry portfolio for Shiv Sena.
Sources said that the oath-taking ceremony for the new Mahayuti government will take place on December 5 evening at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior NDA leaders in attendance.
Shrikant Shinde Clears Air
Shiv Sena MP Srikant Shinde, the son of Maharashtra’s caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Monday said the speculation about him getting the deputy CM’s post in the new state government was false and baseless.
In a post on X, the parliamentarian also said he had the chance of becoming a minister at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year, but he refused it and he wanted to focus on working for the party organisation.
He said the rumours escalated after his father went to the village for two days and took rest due to ill health.
“The news that I will be the deputy chief minister has been circulating with question marks for the past two days. There is no truth to this, and all such news is baseless,” the Kalyan MP said on X.
He said despite an opportunity to become a minister in the central government after the Lok Sabha elections, he had turned it down to focus on strengthening the party organisation.
“I have no desire for a position of power. I make it clear once again that I am not in the race for any ministerial position in the state,” he said, reinforcing his commitment to work for his Lok Sabha constituency and Shiv Sena.
Acknowledging the media’s enthusiasm and competition, Shrikant Shinde urged them to refrain from distorting the facts. “I hope that the discussions about me will at least stop now,” he added.
In the recently concluded state polls, the Mahayuti won 230 of the 288 assembly seats. The BJP led with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena got 57 and NCP 41 seats.
