'Eknath Shinde To Stay As Maharashtra CM': Sena Says No Displeasure On Ajit Pawar's Arrival

Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant said Eknath Shinde would continue as Chief Minister and there was no resentment among MLAs over Ajit Pawar's entry.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde with his newly-sworn in deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar

Source : PTI

Amid reports of discomfort among Shiv Sena MLAs after NCP's Ajit Pawar joined the Maharashtra government, the party on Wednesday dismissed reports that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would resign soon. BJP's Maharashtra state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule also said that Shinde would remain the Chief Minister.

Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant said there was no displeasure among MLAs regarding Pawar becoming the deputy CM.

Addressing reporters after a meeting of MLAs called by Shinde, Uday Samant said all future elections would be held under leadership of Eknath Shinde.

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"Under the leadership of CM Eknath Shinde, there was a meeting regarding upcoming session of the Lok Sabha, the session of Maharashtra Vidhansabha, what MLAs, MPs, MLCs should do in future, how to do development work, how to grow the organisation," ANI quoted Samant as saying.

"There was no displeasure among our MLAs anywhere (regarding Ajit Pawar's arrival), we all have faith in Eknath Shinde...information about his (Eknath Shinde's) resignation are rumours...All elections will be held under leadership of Eknath Shinde," Sawant further said.

On Tuesday, the core committee of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena held a meeting to discuss the political situation in Maharashtra.

There has been buzz in Maharashtra that with the inclusion of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP in the government, the BJP wanted to send a message to the Shinde-led party that it was not indispensable.

On Monday, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed NCP leader Ajit Pawar would replace CM Shinde soon.

"Ajit Pawar has a made a record of taking oath as deputy chief minister. This time the 'deal' is strong," an editorial in the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana' claimed.

"Pawar has not gone there for the deputy CM's post. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and rebel MLAs of the Sena would be disqualified soon and Pawar would be coronated," it further said.