The BJP has announced that the new government in Maharashtra will hold its swearing-in ceremony on December 5 at Azad Maidan. This is seen as a signal to Eknath Shinde to quickly decide whether to be part of Devendra Fadnavis' leadership team. Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced in a video post on X that the ceremony will take place at Azad Maidan and will feature PM Modi.
Bawankule stated, 'The wait for this historic oath-taking ceremony is over. We thank the public for their continued support.' This announcement followed a stalled discussion after three Mahayuti leaders, acting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, met with Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. There has been no discussion between Eknath Shinde and BJP leaders since he returned from Delhi to his ancestral village in Satara, where he is reportedly unwell.
Shinde Uncomfortable With DCM Position After Serving as CM
In Delhi and Mumbai political circles, it's said that the Maharashtra BJP President's video post sends a direct message to Eknath Shinde to come to Mumbai and agree to be part of the Fadnavis government. According to sources, during deliberations with top BJP leadership in Delhi, Eknath Shinde raised concerns about his discomfort with transitioning from CM to DCM after serving as Chief Minister of the Mahayuti government for two and a half years.
Sources further revealed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah tried to convince Shinde by reminding him that Devendra Fadnavis also served a five-year term as CM but joined the Mahayuti government as a Deputy when required. This decision was not made by Fadnavis himself, but rather at the party's behest. The BJP's confidence is grounded in the strength of its numbers in the assembly. The BJP holds 132 seats with support from five independent MLAs, leaving the party needing only the backing of 8 more legislators to establish a majority in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly. With the 41 MLAs from Ajit Pawar's NCP, this number climbs to 178.
BJP Makes Its Decision, Now the Ball is in Shinde's Court
With Shiv Sena's 57 MLAs, the decision falls to Eknath Shinde on whether he will join the Mahayuti government. NCP Chief Ajit Pawar reiterated on Saturday that the new Mahayuti government's chief minister will be from BJP, with two deputy chief ministers, one from NCP and one from Shiv Sena. However, a Shiv Sena official stated that their party will continue to demand control of ministries like Home and Urban Development, retaining all nine ministries under Shinde's government.
When asked about Shiv Sena's demand for the Home Ministry, Ajit Pawar commented, 'Deciding ministries is the chief minister's prerogative. There is no tug-of-war over departments.' Shiv Sena's Sanjay Shirsat justified the party's position by stating, 'When the BJP had the deputy CM post, they held the Home Department, hence it is appropriate for us to press this claim. If a dynamic leader heads the Home Ministry, it will be more effective in curbing unrest.' A Shiv Sena official emphasized that no backchannel or clandestine communications with BJP are ongoing, and discussions on any formula will only take place in a meeting among Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar.
Shinde Headed Straight to Satara After Delhi Meetings
After the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, Eknath Shinde was clear that he would wholeheartedly accept any decision regarding the next CM made by him and PM Modi. No name for the CM was declared during the Delhi meeting—only the hint that the CM would be from the BJP. It was decided that Shinde, Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar would agree on a specific plan in Mumbai, which would then be reported to New Delhi. Since Shinde's return from Delhi, no Mahayuti meetings have been held, as Shinde chose to head straight to his ancestral village in Satara instead of returning to Mumbai. The BJP has not yet selected its legislative party leader.
In the previous Mahayuti government, CM Eknath Shinde led the Urban Development department. Gulabrao Patil was the Minister of Water Supply and Sanitation, Dada Bhuse was in charge of ports and mining, Uday Samant was the Industry Minister, and Tanaji Sawant handled Public Health and Family Welfare. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat expressed, 'Our ministers only had 2.5 years to work in this government, so they require more time to complete their tasks. Shiv Sena is clear on this matter. Whether Eknath Shinde becomes the deputy CM himself or nominates another candidate for the post is his decision to make.'
Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut Criticize Shinde
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray stated, 'Prior to forming the MVA government, they imposed president's rule. Despite having a strong majority now, the Mahayuti government has yet to form any alliances. The legislative session has ended; why hasn't president's rule been declared?' Uddhav Thackeray also took a jab at Shinde for heading to his farm in Satara after achieving a significant majority instead of the state mansion. Sanjay Raut remarked, 'Shinde appears to be both mentally and physically uneasy. His smile has faded, and the sparkle in his eyes is dimmed. It seems like something promised has been snatched away.' Shiv Sena's Sanjay Shirsat retorted, 'After the Maharashtra election results, everyone can see whose mental equilibrium has faltered.'
