Maharashtra CM Suspense Rises: Eknath Shinde Meets Sharad Pawar Camp Leader After Cancelling Key Mahayuti Meet
Before departing for his native village, Eknath Shinde is meeting a prominent leader of the NCP Sharad Pawar faction.
The uncertainty over the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra continues, even after three key leaders of the Mahayuti alliance met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday evening. In a surprising development, Shiv Sena leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a meeting with Jitendra Awhad, an MLA from Mumbra and a prominent leader of the NCP's Sharad Pawar faction, before heading to Satara on Friday.
Shinde cancelled a crucial meeting of the Mahayuti alliance partners in Mumbai, adding to the suspense. Instead, he departed for his native village Dare in Satara district in western Maharashtra on Friday morning.
The caretaker Chief Minister, who had earlier announced that the alliance's next meeting on government formation would take place in Mumbai on Friday, has postponed the gathering to Sunday.
During his trip to Delhi, Shinde met with Shah alongside his deputies in the outgoing state cabinet, Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Ajit Pawar (NCP), to discuss the formation of the new government. Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Shinde described the discussions as “good and positive.”
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Sanjay Shirsat: Final Decision Awaits Amit Shah's Directions
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat has reiterated that any decision regarding the leadership in Maharashtra will be made only after directions from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“No decision will be made until Amit Shah gives directions. The entire decision rests with senior leaders,” Shirsat told media persons on Friday.
Speaking about Shinde's position, Shirsat said, “Shinde Saheb has made his stance clear. We have no demands; whatever decision is taken will be acceptable to us.” However, he added that the Shiv Sena faction would prefer for Shinde to remain in the state government.
“Our only request is that Shinde Saheb should not move to the Centre, but it’s up to him to decide which position he accepts here,” he said.
Shirsat reaffirmed the faction's unwavering support for Shinde, saying, “Whatever decision Shinde Saheb makes, we will support it.”
He also said that the immediate focus is on selecting the Chief Minister, stating, “First, let the Chief Minister be chosen, and everything else will follow in due course.”
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