The formation of the new Maharashtra government remains a suspense as a meeting of the Mahayuti alliance, scheduled for Friday, was cancelled after caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde left unexpectedly for his village in Satara district, delaying discussions on portfolio distribution. On Friday morning, Shinde, along with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, returned to Mumbai after huddling with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi.
Following describing the Delhi meeting as “good and positive”, Shinde’s sudden departure brought the talks to a halt. According to the media reports, the Shiv Sena leader is expected to return to Mumbai on Saturday. The BJP, won 132 assembly seats, has yet to convene its legislature party meeting to finalise its chief ministerial candidate.
According to the media reports, the new government may adopt a power-sharing arrangement featuring two deputy chief ministers to represent Mahayuti’s three major constituents. As for cabinet berths, the BJP is looking to accommodate around 20 ministers, with the Sena expected to receive a larger share than the NCP. During the Delhi meeting, BJP brass conveyed to Shinde that Fadnavis would become the Maharashtra Chief Minister. Shinde initially was not ready for the Deputy Chief Minister’s post but later softened his stance and demanded that he should be given the home portfolio.
Shiv Sena leaders are advocating for Shinde to continue as chief minister, citing the success of initiatives like the Ladki Bahin scheme. Shinde said ahead of the meeting in Delhi, “I told PM Modi not to worry about any obstacles in government formation because of me. Whatever decision you make is final for BJP, and it is final for us”.
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