‘I Won’t Be An Obstacle’: Eknath Shinde Pledges Support To BJP In Maha CM Decision

Mumbai: Amid the continuing suspense over next Maharashtra Chief Minister, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said that he has left the decision to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP leadership.

“For the past 2-4 days you must have seen rumours that someone is miffed. We are not people who get miffed…I spoke with the PM yesterday and told him that there is no obstruction from our end in forming the government (in Maharashtra). You make a decision and we will accept it…Whatever decision is made by the senior leaders of the BJP regarding the CM post, their candidate will be fully supported by Shiv Sena…” the caretaker CM told a presser in Thane.

Shinde and BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis are the top contenders for the post after securing a landslide victory in the recently concluded state Assembly elections 2024 along with the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). They will be will meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on November 28 to discuss details of the government formation process in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule expressed his gratitude to Shinde for clearing all suspicions. “He told the people that any decision that has to be taken regarding the CM post in Maharashtra will be taken by PM Modi, HM Amit Shah and our central leadership. Whatever decision is made by the central leadership will be accepted by all – this is the role that has been adopted by him in the interest of Maharashtra…Several people raised questions on Eknath Shinde and Mahayuti…A lot of lies were spread but today, he played a role to strengthen Mahayuti, NDA…,” he told ANI.

The MPs from Eknath Shinde’s camp also met Shah in Parliament on Wednesday. Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske reportedly left the ongoing Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in the middle to go and meet him. “All the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MPs met Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the first time after the Maharashtra Assembly elections…The public has given a huge mandate to us in the elections…There is no dispute (over the post of Maharashtra CM). All three parties of the Mahayuti will work together for the development of the state,” Shinde camp MP Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane told ANI.

Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said that Eknath Shinde would never accept the post of Deputy CM. “Since the election was fought in his name, he deserves to return as the Chief Minister,” he said.

Meanwhile, an old clip of Devendra Fadnavis’ speech when he said, “Mai Samandar hu laut ke aunga”, is making round on the internet.

On the other hand, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole claimed that there is a big reason behind the delay in announcement of Mahayuti’s CM. “Maharashtra’s caretaker CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde can’t comprehend what BJP leadership is…There is a big reason behind the delay in announcing the CM face,” he told news agency ANI.