A file image of PM Narendra Modi (left) and Amit Shah.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Amid the intense tug-of-war and inconclusive closed-door meetings among the Maha Yuti-NDA allies for the post of Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister and BJP’s chief strategist Amit Shah has stepped in to resolve the issue and decide in the next couple of days as to who will lead the state.
The tenure of 14th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly drew to a close on Tuesday and accordingly Eknath Shinde, the chief leader of Shiv Sena, resigned as CM.
Shinde, accompanied by Deputy CMs - Devendra Fadnavis, who calls the shots for the BJP and Ajit Pawar, who is the NCP President, met Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan and formally tendered resignation.
The Governor has asked Shinde to continue to hold the charge as caretaker CM till alternate arrangements are made.
The BJP and its ideological fountainhead is in no mood to sacrifice the post of CM after the landslide victory in the state with BJP winning 132 seats while Shiv Sena bagged 57 and NCP got 41.
While RSS’s first choice and BJP state leadership’s demand is Fadnavis, Shiv Sena is reluctant to give up its claim over the post saying that Shinde was the face of the Maha Yuti campaign and his common man image clicked with the masses.
The BJP high-command too wants Fadnavis, a two-time CM and ex-Leader of Opposition, to be on the top job in Maharashtra for next five years.
The NCP, however, has backed Fadnavis rather than Shinde - which too is crucial in the entire process.
The BJP is also not keen on rotational CM.
"Fadnavis, who is a two-time CM, has worked under Shinde as Deputy CM. Shinde should accept his leadership and work under him. Besides, one must not forget the way RSS worked and ensure transfer of votes. For this Fadnavis had played a major role. Fadnavis has led BJP to cross 100-mark in three polls and this time it is the maximum. The natural justice is that Fadnavis should get another full term," informed sources said.
The BJP legislature party meeting would be held in Mumbai on Wednesday, in which its leader would be elected.
Two observers from BJP's high-command are expected to land in Mumbai, however, there is no official confirmation yet.
"MahaYuti leaders will sit together and discuss and go to New Delhi and then a final decision will be taken, Shinde has clearly said that whatever decision Modi and Shah takes, it will be acceptable to him," Shiv Sena spokesperson Deepak Kesarkar said.
Before he tendered resignation, Shinde wrote a post X: “MahaYuti government is being formed again…I am deeply grateful for your love…it is my humble request that Shiv Sena workers should not assemble at Varsha bungalow or anywhere else. The grand alliance has been and will continue to be strong for a strong and prosperous Maharashtra.”
In a related development, RPI (A) President and Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athwale, who is constituent of Maha Yuti, said that Fadnavis would be the CM. “Shinde should become a Deputy CM or come to the Centre,” he said.
However, reacting to it, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said: “Athawale should not be speaking on matters in which he is not involved.”
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Assembly Elections 2024 | The Maharashtra Assembly polls took place against the backdrop of a fractured political landscape in the western state where the Shiv Sena and NCP went up against the Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar factions, even as the BJP and Congress tried to make their mark. Maha Yuti are currently comfortably poised to win. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM faced a challenge after Hemant Soren's arrest and Champai, a longstanding party member, joining the BJP, but look set to retain power with its I.N.D.I.A. allies. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.
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