Mumbai: As the suspense over the next Maharashtra chief minister continued to build despite the Mahayuti leaders meeting Amit Shah in Delhi, Eknath Shinde left for his native village in Satara on Friday, further delaying government formation.
Now, a leader from the Shinde camp has claimed he may make a big announcement on Saturday and that the visit to Satara is meant to contemplate the same.
A key meeting of the Mahayuti allies—BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP—was postponed earlier on Friday after Shinde departed for his village, Dare, delaying the formation of the government a week after the Maharashtra Assembly election results were announced.
Even though Shinde’s impromptu visit sparked a buzz of discord, his party leader Uday Samant said the caretaker chief minister was not upset and went to Satara because he was unwell, even when he met Amit Shah.
Shinde, who has affirmed that he will abide by the BJP leadership’s decision on the next chief minister, should be included in the new government, stated Samant, a minister in the previous Shinde-led cabinet.
Big decision by Eknath Shinde today
Sanjay Shirsat, another Shiv Sena leader, said a major announcement may come from Eknath Shinde on Saturday and that he went to Satara to think about it. However, he emphasised that Shinde has no interest in holding a position in the Union Cabinet, as his focus remains firmly on Maharashtra politics, according to news agency ANI.
When questioned about the meeting between Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, Uday Samant remarked, “If the meeting doesn’t happen in person, it can be conducted via video conference.”
“Yesterday, Maharashtra leaders gathered at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah will decide who will be the next chief minister of Maharashtra. The announcement should be made by midnight, and I’ve been informed that the oath-taking ceremony will be held on December 2,” he said.
He further clarified, “Eknath Shinde will not go to Delhi. His interest lies in Maharashtra politics, not in Delhi.”
Shirsat also mentioned that whenever Shinde needs time for reflection, he visits his native village. “Whenever he has a major decision to make, he retreats to his village. By tomorrow evening, he will announce a very significant decision,” Shirsat concluded.
