New Delhi: Multiple sources in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have confirmed that party top brass has finalised Devendra Fadnavis’s name for the next Maharashtra Chief Minister and the same has been conveyed to Shiv Sena chief Ekanth Shinde as well. A BJP delegation is expected to visit Mumbai in next two days where all formalities about Fadnavis’s announcement will be finalised.
If sources are to be believed, NCP chief Ajit Pawar is going to be made Deputy CM with Finance department. Reports says that the process of government formation is likely to be completed within a week.
Shiv Sena claims party was promised CM post by BJP before elections
Even as Mahayiti alliance continues to struggle to finalise its Chief Minister candidate, Shiv Sena has claimed they were promised CM post by the BJP if the alliance comes to power after elections. Top sources in Sena said the party was assure by BJP in multiple meetings about CM post irrespective of the number of the seats they win after elections.
During several meetings before the elections, it was decided that BJP will contest on maximum seats and chief minister would be made from Shiv Sena if Mahayuti comes to power after elections,” said Shiv Sena source.
‘Mahayuti fought elections on Shinde’s name’
Former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena MLA, Deepak Kesarkar said the Maharashtra assembly elections were fought in the name of Eknath Shinde and the government’s works in last two and half years.
“It is true that elections was fought as Eknath Shinde as the alliance’s face. People have voted for the work done by the Shinde-led state govenrment in last two and half years. A final decision has to be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Eknath Shinde. They are our leaders. We will accept whatever they decide,” said former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar.
If not CM, Shinde unlikely to take post in new government
Source say that Eknath Shinde is unlikely to hold any post in the new government if not the CM. Some other MLA from the party is likely to be nominated for the post.
There are reports that Shinde has been offered the post of Deputy CM or a Cabinet berth at Centre, but the CM post. If reports are to be believed, Sena is also preparing to put up a hard bargain for the Home Minister berth if Shinde is not made the CM.