The suspense over the formation of the Mahayuti government and the Chief Minister’s position in Maharashtra remains unresolved. Expectations were that Mahayuti leaders would convene in Mumbai on Friday and finalize the CM candidate, along with decisions on cabinet division and the swearing-in ceremony. However, those expectations are yet to be fulfilled.
It is now reported that leaders of the Mahayuti coalition will gather in Mumbai on December 1. Eknath Shinde will also be present at this meeting. Shinde is currently in his ancestral village in Satara, having left Mumbai citing health reasons before the scheduled meeting. The latest update suggests that Shinde will return to Mumbai from his village today, Sunday, and the Mahayuti meeting will take place in his presence.
Preceding the Mahayuti meeting, there is news of a BJP legislative party meeting on December 1, Sunday. According to sources, BJP will elect its legislative party leader, with a subsequent Mahayuti meeting proposed in Delhi.
Amid speculations about Eknath Shinde advocating for a robust Home department, Bharat Sheth Gogavale, an MLA from the Shinde faction, claimed expectations of securing the Deputy Chief Minister position alongside the Home department, analogous to how Devendra Fadnavis held the Home Ministry as Deputy Chief Minister. This statement came after Eknath Shinde abruptly canceled a Mahayuti meeting with Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
Additionally, another MLA and close associate of Shinde, Sanjay Shirsat, hinted that Eknath Shinde would decline a Deputy Chief Minister position. Sources suggest that Shinde is more interested in becoming the Mahayuti convenor rather than taking a secondary role in the Mahayuti 2.0 government.
Amid rumors of dissatisfaction, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant stated, 'There is no dissatisfaction with Shinde. Eknath Shinde went to his home due to health issues. Sixty MLAs conveyed a message to Shinde Ji expressing their desire for him to become Deputy CM, but Shinde Ji will make the decision himself. His presence in the government is essential, especially with the Ladli Bahna scheme being introduced. Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar will meet again to discuss cabinet expansions in detail.'
In a meeting held in Delhi on Thursday, Amit Shah conversed separately with Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar about the number of ministerial positions to be included in the cabinet. The BJP wishes to include a maximum of 20 people, while Shinde expects more positions than those allocated to NCP. Sources also mentioned that there was no discussion regarding department allocations during the Delhi meeting.
Once all is finalized, the swearing-in ceremony is expected to be scheduled for the coming week. According to sources, the ceremony could take place on either November 2 or 5, as Prime Minister Modi is unavailable on November 3 and 4. A BJP legislative party meeting will occur a day before the swearing-in.
