New Delhi: Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole on Wednesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s central leadership had pressured Eknath Shinde to give up his claim to the post of chief minister. His remarks came after the Shiv Sena leader’s announcement that he would support any candidate selected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the next chief minister of Maharashtra.
Patole stated that the delay in declaring the name of the next chief minister of Maharashtra has given rise to suspicions. The Congress leader pointed out that it was condemnable to keep Maharashtra waiting (for the formation of its government).
Eknath Shinde and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis were reportedly eyeing the top post in Maharashtra. While Fadnavis’s claim was based on the BJP’s stunning performance in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections, Shinde’s party pointed to the NDA arrangement in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar became the CM even though his party was the smaller coalition partner.
Patole added that the BJP had a custom of bringing new faces as CMs, while dropping a hint that Fadnavis could also be overlooked for the CM post. “It remains to be seen if the next CM will be the one whose name is doing rounds or someone else,” he said.
I want to thank Shinde: Bawankule
Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule expressed his gratitude to ally Eknath Shinde for his announcement that he would back any candidate chosen by PM Modi.
“I want to thank Shinde. He today made clear his stand on the chief minister’s post. He has taken an important stand. I am proud of him,” the BJP leader was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. He showered praise on Shinde for being committed to the development of Maharashtra, while mentioning his key role in the completion of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway. “He took enormous effort for the progress of Maharashtra. He did a good job as chief minister,” Bawankule underlined.
There was never a difference of opinions in Mahayuti: Fadnavis
Amid the suspense over CM, Fadnavis commented that the leaders of Mahayuti will make a decision soon. “In our Mahayuti, there was never a difference of opinions towards one another. We have always made decisions by sitting together and we have said before elections that we will take the decision (regarding CM’s post) collectively after the elections. A few people have doubts which Eknath Shinde ji has clarified today. Soon we will meet our leaders and will make the decision,” PTI quoted him as saying.
Following Shinde’s announcement, Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar said Eknath Shinde hadn’t turned down or refused any position as yet. He told ANI that Shinde hasn’t said anything that he won’t accept any post. “It’s the outside people that are saying all these things. It’s their (BJP) decision. Let them decide. Everything else is a premature thing to say.”
I will abide by whatever decision they take: Shinde
Shinde quit as CM of Maharashtra on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he said that he would accept the decision taken by the saffron party regarding the CM’s post. He said, “I called PM Modi and Amit Shah and told them to decide (on CM’s post), and gave them the assurance that I will abide by whatever decision they take.” “Our Shiv Sena will back the BJP’s decision about the next Maharashtra CM,” Shinde added.
