New Delhi: Amid the ongoing uncertainty over the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, caretaker CM Eknath Shinde has been reported unwell. His family doctor, Dr RM Patre, confirmed that Shinde is suffering from a viral infection and fever, with his temperature reaching 99°F.
“He developed a throat infection due to the cold, and treatment is ongoing at home. He has been on antibiotics and saline. His condition has improved significantly, and he even had a conversation with us today. A team of four doctors is monitoring him, and he is expected to return to Mumbai tomorrow,” said Dr Patre while talking to news agency ANI.
Team of four doctors monitoring Shinde
Despite the Mahayuti alliance securing a landslide victory in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections, the question of who will assume the Chief Minister’s role remains unresolved. It has been seven days since the results were announced, with no official declaration from the BJP-led alliance.
The alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), won 230 of the 288 assembly seats, far exceeding the majority mark of 145. However, negotiations over power-sharing appear to be causing delays in announcing the new leadership.
Key Mahayuti meet cancelled in Mumbai
Shinde, who had travelled to Delhi to attend a high-level Mahayuti meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J P Nadda, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, returned to his hometown in Dare village, Satara, following the meeting. His sudden return and subsequent illness have fuelled speculation about dissatisfaction within the alliance.
Reports suggest that the scheduled Mahayuti meeting in Mumbai had to be cancelled, further intensifying rumours of discord. However, Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction has refuted claims of any discontent, attributing his absence solely to health concerns.
The BJP emerged as the largest party in the elections, securing 132 seats, while Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Pawar’s NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. Despite this overwhelming mandate, the delay in naming the Chief Minister has led to speculation of power struggles within the alliance.
