Won't obstruct: Eknath Shinde leaves it to BJP top brass to take a call on Maharashtra CM decision
Mumbai/IBNS: Eknath Shinde, who is in the race for the top post in Maharashtra, has said he has left the decision to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
If media reports are to be believed, the politically crucial state of Maharashtra will have a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) face as its next chief minister.
Meanwhile, Mahayuti's alliance partners will have deputy CMs from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Shinde said: "I have told PM Modi that I would not be an obstacle. We would go with whatever he decides."
He also added that "no one is upset" and that he is "not greedy for any position".
All three leaders of the Mahayuti alliance are expected to meet BJP's chief strategist Amit Shah on Thursday.
Devendra Fadnavis is seen as the front-runner for the CM post.
The new arrangement clearly shows how the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as a dominant force following its thumping victory in last week's Maharashtra elections.
The Mahayuti comprising Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (Shinde camp) and Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) won a massive 230 of 288 seats.
Out of 230, the BJP dominated with a tremendous strike rate, winning 132, the highest ever by the saffron party in the state.
Soon after the results were declared, Shinde, as per reports, remained firm in continuing as the Chief Minister.
On Tuesday, Eknath Shinde resigned as per norms before the formation of a new government
He will continue as the caretaker Chief Minister till the oath-taking ceremony.
The suspense over the CM's post started after the Mahayuti decimated the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the November 20 assembly elections.
#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde tenders his resignation as CM to Governor CP Radhakrishnan, at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2024
Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis are also present.
Mahayuti alliance consisting BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP emerged victorious in Maharashtra… pic.twitter.com/RGUl6chZOS
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, however, denied any tussle within the coalition over the post and said the Mahayuti leaders would take a call on the matter.
Fadnavis, who remained the Chief Minister from 2014-2019, served as Shinde's deputy in the Mahayuti government.
On Fadnavis' probably return, BJP leader Pravin Darekar had earlier said as quoted by Mint, "The CM will be from Mahayuti and, obviously, the largest party has the greater chance and with BJP emerging the largest party, if there is a CM of BJP, it will be Devendra Fadnavis."
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