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Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis will likely meet Amit Shah in Delhi at 6 pm today, as an announcement on the next chief minister of Maharashtra is awaited.
Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis (Photo: PTI)
Maharashtra National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders are slated to meet the top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) brass in Delhi on Thursday. According to sources, caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the Mahayuti alliance are expected to reach Delhi at nearly 4 pm, while they will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah at nearly 6 pm today.
This comes after Shinde on Wednesday announced the Shiv Sena would support the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to name the next Maharashtra chief minister, paving the way for the BJP to head the new government.
Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is already in the national capital.
The formula of one chief minister and two deputy chief ministers representing the three major ‘Mahayuti’ constituents (BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP) will be followed in the new government in the state, reports have suggested.
While the BJP is tipped to get the chief ministerial post, its other two allies are expected to be given the post of two deputies.
MAHARASHTRA GOVT FORMATION: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM KEY MEET
According to sources, a decision on the next chief minister of Maharashtra would be made in the meeting.
The formula of one chief minister and two deputy chief ministers may also be finalised.
The leaders are also expected to finalise the number of ministers each party in the Mahayuti alliance would have in the new government of Maharashtra.
Subsequently, a decision on the division of departments within the alliance is also expected.
The date and the venue for the oath-taking of the new chief minister may be decided in the meeting between the Mahayuti and top NDA leaders.
VINOD TAWDE MEETS AMIT SHAH
Vinod Tawde, BJP’s national general secretary, met Amit Shah on Wednesday and reportedly discussed the chief minister of Maharashtra.
Sources within the BJP said Shah expressed concerns on the consequences of not having a Maratha face in the upcoming new government in the state.
The two also discussed local elections.
EKNATH SHINDE CLEARS DECK FOR BJP CM IN MAHARASHTRA
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Shinde said he will “fully support” the BJP leadership’s choice for the next chief minister, adding that he won’t be a hurdle in the process.
“I called Prime Minister Modi yesterday and also Amit Shah and told them to decide on who will be the next chief minister of Maharashtra, and assured them that I will abide by whatever decision they take,” Shinde told the media at his residence in Thane.
“Our Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP’s decision to name the next Maharashtra chief minister. There is no speed breaker from our side,” Shinde said.
He also rubbished reports that he was disappointed for not getting a second term as the chief minister despite the ruling Mahayuti alliance winning a thumping victory under his leadership.
“Nobody is annoyed. We have worked as Mahayuti,” he said.
Sources said Shinde had sought the Home Ministry department if not given the chief minister’s chair. Meanwhile, news agency PTI quoted sources and said he could swap his position with Fadnavis while Pawar will continue as one of the two deputy chief ministers.
MAHARASHTRA ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2024
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance scripted a landslide win in the state assembly elections by winning 230 seats in the 288-member House.
Recovering from its Lok Sabha election losses, the BJP bagged 132 constituencies followed by Sena with 57 seats and the NCP with 41 seats, as they decimated the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, inflicting on the Congress its worst-ever defeat in the state.
