Amid Suspense Over Eknath Shinde's Swearing-In, Shiv Sena Leader Clears Air

The clarification from Samant come after the Shiv Sena leader earlier in the day sparked speculations of a possible shocker in Maharashtra politics.

File photo of Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis.

Source : Devendra Fadnavis Meets Eknath Shinde

Amid speculations over Eknath Shinde's swearing-in, party leader Uday Samant has cleared the air around Shinde's role in the Mahayuti government just two hours before the oath-taking ceremony of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. 

Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant said that Eknath Shinde will take oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra. The clarification from Samant come after the Shiv Sena leader earlier in the day sparked speculations of a possible shocker in Maharashtra politics. 

#WATCH | Mumbai: "Eknath Shinde will take oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra," says Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant pic.twitter.com/k5cclydmSr

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024

Party leader Sanjay Shirsath indicated that Shinde was not convinced about taking the Deputy Chief Minister's post in the Maharashtra government of the Mahayuti. He said that the party MLAs were trying to convince Shinde to accept the BJP's offer.

"Eknath Shinde will listen to our request and he will take oath as Deputy CM, we believe that...he is our leader and we want him to take the oath as Deputy CM...we all are going to Eknath Shinde, we will convince and get him ready for the oath-taking," Shirsat said.

Echoing Shirsath's concerns, Samant said that if Shinde does not accept Deputy CM post, none of the party MLAs will accept any responsibility in the Mahayuti government.

"We are confident that Eknath Shinde will take the post of Deputy CM. If he does not take the post of Deputy CM, none of our MLAs will accept any responsibility in the government. Our 59 MLAs are not interested in the post of Deputy CM," Samant said.

Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde, who served as chief minister in the outgoing government, has indicated that he is reluctant to join the new government as deputy CM.

BJP legislature party leader Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn-in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra at 5:30 pm on Thursday evening at a grand ceremony in Mumbai's Azad Maidan. Fadnavis will take oath along with two deputy chief ministers.