Amid ongoing uncertainty over the selection of Maharashtra’s new Chief Minister, the Shiv Sena declared on Wednesday that Eknath Shinde would not accept the role of Deputy Chief Minister. A leader from the Shinde Sena attributed the Mahayuti coalition’s resounding success in the 20th November Maharashtra Assembly elections to Shinde’s leadership.
Speaking to a section of media, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat stated, “The Assembly elections were fought in the name of Eknath Shinde. He deserves to return as Chief Minister. He will not accept the position of Deputy Chief Minister.”
Shirsat further emphasised that appointing Shinde as Chief Minister would send a positive message to the electorate. “If the BJP fulfils our demand, it will benefit us in future elections,” he added.
The Mahayuti coalition, which includes the Shinde Sena, the BJP, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, secured a dominant victory, winning 230 out of the 288 seats in the Assembly. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena with 57 and the NCP with 41. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a significant defeat, securing just 46 seats, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) claiming 20, Congress 10, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP also 10.
Following the results, the BJP expressed support for Devendra Fadnavis to reclaim the Chief Minister’s position, while Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP also pushed for their leader to assume the role.
In response to Union Minister Ramdas Athawale’s suggestion that Shinde could transition to a central government role while Fadnavis becomes Chief Minister, Shirsat dismissed the idea. “We do not take him [Athawale] seriously. He is a Union Minister; let him focus on central politics. Leave Maharashtra politics to us,” he asserted.
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