Nirmala Sitharaman, Vijay Rupani To Be Part Of Key Huddle To Decide Maharashtra CM

Maharashtra CM Race: In a big development, Eknath Shinde has supported its ally's claim to the Maharashtra Chief Minister's post, according to former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.

Eknath Shinde is reportedly supporting the BJP's claim to the CM's chair.

Source : PTI

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has said that Eknath Shinde has no problem with the BJP getting the Maharashtra Chief Minister's chair. "BJP is the biggest party; so, I think there is a possibility of BJP getting the CM's post this time. Eknath Shinde had also said that BJP will have the CM's chair," Rupani said.

He said another meeting will be held in Mumbai on Wednesday to finalise the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The meeting will include Rupani as well as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. "There is a meeting tomorrow at 11 AM. The leader will be elected and after that, we shall inform the high command," he said.

#WATCH | Gandhinagar, Gujarat: On the question of Maharashtra CM, BJP's Central Observer for Maharashtra, Vijay Rupani says, "I think BJP has emerged as the single largest party. Eknath Shinde had given the statement that he has no issues if someone from the BJP is made the… pic.twitter.com/PRii3fDmOI

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024

Rupani, who is also the BJP's Central Observer for Maharashtra, said, "Tomorrow at 11 am there will be a meeting of the Legislative Party where we will discuss. After that, the leader of the assembly will be elected. We shall inform the high command about the chosen leader and then make the announcement."

On reports of disgruntlement within the Mahayuti, Rupani said: "There is no problem... The high command has discussed everything with our partners... The election of the leader of the legislative assembly will be Unanimous."

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister in Maharashtra will be held on Thursday, December 5. Although the Mahayuti is yet to announce the of the Chief Minister, sources said that Devendra Fadnavis will return to the chair. However, the BJP may have to part with the Home and Urban Development department — along with 10 other key departments.

Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has finalised 11 names for Cabinet berths, said party sources. On the list are Ajit Pawar, Aditi Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dhananjay Munde, Anil Bhaidas Patil, Sanjay Bansode, former Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly Narhari Zirwal, and senior NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Dattatray Bharane. The Cabinet could also include new faces, such as former mayor of Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation Sangram Jagtap, Pusad MLA Indranil Naik, and Maval MLA Sunil Shelke.