The formation of the new Maharashtra government is facing delays as key discussions within the Mahayuti alliance have been disrupted. A crucial meeting scheduled for Friday was cancelled after caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde unexpectedly left for his village in Satara district, putting a halt to discussions on portfolio distribution.
Shinde, along with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, returned to Mumbai on Friday morning following a round of talks in New Delhi with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda. The talks focused on finalizing a power-sharing arrangement after the BJP-led coalition’s substantial victory in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections.
Although Shinde described the meeting in New Delhi as “good and positive,” his sudden departure from Mumbai caused the talks to stall, further deepening the uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the new government and the allocation of ministerial positions.
The BJP, which secured 132 assembly seats, is yet to convene its legislature party meeting to finalize its chief ministerial candidate though Devendra Fadnavis is widely anticipated to take the top post.
In the meantime, Mahayuti allies Shiv Sena (with 57 seats) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP (with 41 seats) are reportedly focused on securing key cabinet positions, as their prospects of claiming the chief minister’s post appear slim.
Sources suggest that the new government could adopt a power-sharing model, possibly with two deputy chief ministers representing Mahayuti’s three major constituents. Regarding cabinet positions, the BJP plans to accommodate around 20 ministers, with Shiv Sena likely receiving a larger share compared to the NCP.
As Shiv Sena leaders push for Shinde to continue as the chief minister, pointing to the success of initiatives like the Ladki Bahin scheme, Shinde has seemed reluctant to assert his leadership. He indicated that he would abide by the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, stressing that whatever decision they make is final. “I told PM Modi not to worry about any obstacles in government formation because of me. Whatever decision you make is final for the BJP and it is final for us,” Shinde said before the New Delhi meeting.
Amid mounting speculation about Shinde’s future role, party spokesperson and MLA Sanjay Shirsat suggested that Shinde is unlikely to accept the deputy chief minister’s role. “He is unlikely to be a deputy. It does not befit a person who has already served as chief minister,” Shirsat said.
Shinde’s son, Shrikant, reassured the public of his father’s commitment to the Mahayuti alliance, emphasizing that Eknath was prioritizing collective governance over personal ambition. “He is exemplifying ‘alliance dharma,'” said the Kalyan MP.
Sources close to the negotiations revealed that during the Delhi meeting, BJP leaders informed Shinde that Devendra Fadnavis would become the next chief minister. Initially resistant to the idea of accepting the deputy chief minister position, Shinde later softened his stance and expressed a preference for the home portfolio, should he take on the deputy CM role, according to sources.
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