Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena leader and acting Maharashtra Chief Minister, on Wednesday withdrew from the Maharashtra CM's race after four days of suspense. Shinde, in his media interaction, thanked the people of the state for the landslide victory of Mahayuti and added that he is not a person who would be upset about any post or position. Shinde said that he will agree to whatever Prime Minister Narendra Modi will decide for him and announced Shiv Sena's full support for any BJP candidate for the Chief Minister's position. The announcement could be seen as an indication of clearing the way for Devendra Fadnavis, the former Maharashtra CM and BJP's biggest leader in the state.
The Mahayuti won a landslide victory in the elections, bagging 235 of 288 Assembly seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 132 seats, while Shinde's Sena secured 57. The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 41 seats. Five seats were won by smaller parties, including JSS, RYSP, RSVA, and RASP. Shinde became the Maharashtra Chief Minister on June 30, 2022, after an unprecedented revolt against Uddhav Thackeray. The BJP, in a surprise move, asked Devendra Fadnavis to become Shinde's deputy in Maharashtra, thus paving the way for the 'Shiv Sainik' to take charge of the state.
"I am not upset, nor am I angry. For the past 2-4 days, you must have seen rumours that someone is miffed. We are not people who get miffed...I spoke with the PM yesterday and told him that there is no obstruction from our end in forming the government (in Maharashtra). You make a decision. The BJP's decision is the final. Who is the leader of NDA? PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. So, I told both of them that there is no problem from our end in forming the government in Maharashtra. You make a decision, and we will accept the decision. Whatever decision is made by the senior leaders of the BJP regarding the CM post, their candidate will be fully supported by Shiv Sena," Eknath Shinde announced.
Have earned ladla-bhai title: Eknath Shinde
He said, "I thank all the voters of Maharashtra for supporting Mahayuti and giving us a landslide victory. It's unprecedented. Amit Shah and PM Modi have fulfilled the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray to make a common Shiv Sainik, the CM. They have always stood with me," and added, "I am happy and satisfied with my two-and-a-half-year tenure. We rebelled and moved forward, taking Balasaheb's ideas. The sisters of the state call me ladla bhai, that is my earning of 2.5 years of governance."
After leading the BJP-led coalition to a massive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, seen as a front-runner for the chief minister's post, arrived in the national capital late Monday night for meetings with top party leaders. As per sources, Shiv Sena chief and caretaker CM Eknath Shinde wants his son Shrikant Shinde as Maharashtra Deputy CM in Devendra Fadnavis-led Cabinet.
Eknath Shinde resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister, paving the way for the appointment of a new government amid haggling by his Shiv Sena faction for continuity and the BJP pressing for its candidate for the top post. The uncertainty surrounding the selection of Shinde's successor remains, as coalition leaders have yet to reach a consensus on the candidate.
