New Delhi: The suspense over ‘Who will be the next Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy CM’ is yet to get over. Even though Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said that he would go by the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on naming the new Maharashtra Chief Minister, the dust has yet to settle down on the issue. Soon after he made the announcement, he fell ill and several reports gave rise to speculations and rumours that his son was in the race for Deputy CM’s post.
However, on Monday, caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde scotched all such rumours and speculations, and dubbed all reports “baseless”. Clearing the air, he stated that he has no desire for power and is committed to working in his Lok Sabha constituency.
Taking to X, he wrote, “The swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti government has been delayed, which has led to a surge in discussions and rumours. Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took two days off to rest due to health issues, which further fuelled these rumours. There have been speculations about me becoming the Deputy Chief Minister, but these news reports are baseless and unfounded.”
He added: “Even after the Lok Sabha elections, I had the opportunity to take up a ministerial position in the central government. However, considering the work for the party organisation, I had declined that offer. I have no desire for any position in the government. I am not a part of any race for a ministerial post in the state government, and I would like to clarify this once again. I will continue to work diligently for my Lok Sabha constituency and for the Shiv Sena party.”
“We understand the enthusiasm and competition of the media, but I request them not to turn their back on the truth while reporting. I hope that the discussions surrounding me will come to an end now,” Shrikant Shinde wrote.
महायुतीच्या सरकारचा शपथविधी थोडा लांबल्यामुळे सध्या चर्चा आणि अफवा यांचे पीक फोफावले आहे. काळजीवाहू मुख्यमंत्री मा. श्री एकनाथ शिंदे यांनी प्रकृती अस्वास्थ्यामुळे दोन दिवस गावी जाऊन विश्रांती घेतली. त्यामुळे अफवांना अधिकच बहर आला. मी उपमुख्यमंत्री होणार अशा बातम्या प्रश्नचिन्हे…
— Dr Shrikant Lata Eknath Shinde (@DrSEShinde) December 2, 2024
What speculations are doing the rounds in Maharashtra?
Due to Eknath Shinde falling sick, the swearing-in ceremony has got dragged. Some reports say that Devendra Fadnavis will take the CM’s oath on December 5. As the term for the previous Assembly ended on November 26, reports surfaced that Eknath Shinde was unhappy over things have turned after Mahayuti’s stunning victory in the assembly polls.
