The political landscape in Maharashtra remains tense as the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction has declared its unwillingness to accept responsibilities in the new state government if Shinde does not agree to the deputy chief minister (Dy CM) post.
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, who will take oath as chief minister at a ceremony in Mumbai today, has been persuading Shinde to join the Cabinet as dy CM. However, resistance within the Shiv Sena camp has added complexity to the negotiations.
“If Eknath Shinde does not accept the deputy CM’s post, no MLA from Shiv Sena will accept any responsibility in the government,” Samant said.
“We have made it very clear to Shinde that he must become deputy chief minister in the new government,” the Shiv Sena leader said.
Samant said he was confident that Shinde would agree to their demand.
Fadnavis to take oath as Maharashtra CM
Fadnavis, set to begin his third term as Maharashtra chief minister, will be sworn in at Azad Maidan in a ceremony graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several NDA leaders. Joining him on the dais will be Ajit Pawar of the NCP and Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde, both slated to take oath as deputy chief ministers.
Posters of Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar already cover the area around Azad Maidan as the BJP celebrates a resounding victory in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The BJP’s decision to keep Fadnavis as CM comes after days of speculation and bargaining, during which Shinde had expressed his desire for the top post. Shinde eventually backed the BJP’s choice, signaling unity within the Mahayuti alliance.
This marks a historic moment for the BJP-led coalition, which secured a landslide victory with 235 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly, cementing the BJP’s dominance with 132 seats. Shiv Sena and NCP factions also secured significant wins, while the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi faced major losses.
