There is no end to the excitement of Maharashtra Chief Minister: Top Developments | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Tension surrounding Maharashtra’s next chief minister continues to mount as discussions intensify within the government. Mahayuti Alliance probably postponed until Sunday. Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, who left for his native village today, is expected to take a “big decision” within the next 24 hours.
Here are the latest developments:
Shinde returns on Saturday, cabinet to be finalized soon: Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant refuted the rumors that Eknath Shinde is “angry” over the ongoing CM face speculations and clarified that Shinde is fully involved in the decision-making process. Samant confirmed that Shinde will return to Mumbai on Saturday and the cabinet formation will be finalized soon.
“The reports that he is upset come from the media. We were at Eknath Shinde until early morning. He’ll be back tomorrow. Meetings not only take place physically, but also via video conferencing or mobile. As Eknath Shinde has said, the Maharashtra cabinet will be finalized soon,” Samant told ANI.
Shinde on his way to village for ‘big decision’
Eknath Shinde, back in Mumbai after meetings in New Delhi, went to his native village Dare in Satara district. Known for seeking solitude before crucial decisions, Shinde is expected to announce a major decision on Saturday evening, Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat confirmed.
While a meeting of the Mahayuti alliance was initially scheduled for Friday, it has now been postponed to Sunday.
‘Shinde will probably not join Centrum’
Shirsat ruled out the possibility of Shinde taking up the role of Union minister. He added that if Shinde refuses, another Shiv Sena leader could step into the role.
“If Shinde does not accept the post of deputy CM, another leader of our party will get it. He (Shinde) will take a call on this tonight,” said Shirsat, who retained his seat in the West Assembly in Aurangabad.
Fellow Shiv Sena leader Shamburaj Desai added that party members are strongly advocating for Shinde’s continued role in the new Maharashtra government.
Deadlock in New Delhi
Late on Thursday evening, Shinde, along with Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, held talks with BJP leaders Amit Shah and JP Nadda. Despite more than an hour of deliberations, no decision was announced on the prime minister-designate. Shinde reiterated his commitment to abide by the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah.
Opposition criticism is increasing
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut sharply criticized Shinde and Ajit Pawar, accusing them of surrendering Maharashtra’s decision-making autonomy to Delhi. Raut alleged that key governance issues now require the approval of the BJP’s central leadership, which is undermining the state’s self-respect and pride.
Mahayuti’s landslide victory in the Maharashtra polls
The Mahayuti alliance registered a resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections on November 20. The BJP emerged as the largest constituency with 132 seats, while Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP won 57 and 41 seats respectively. The Congress-led MVA coalition suffered a major setback with the Congress securing only 16 seats, its worst performance so far.