Maharashtra: Even as there were only a few hours left for the swearing-in ceremony of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, tension continued over key Mahayuti leader and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde's decision to take up the post of Deputy CM to take.
Over the past two days, reports said that Shinde, the outgoing Chief Minister, has agreed to take over as deputy CM in the new government after meeting Devendra Fadnavis at Varsha, the CM's official residence in Mumbai.
However, with Shinde yet to announce his decision, Shiv Sena leaders have decided that they will not take any responsibility in the new government unless Shinde takes up the post of deputy CM.
“If Eknath Shinde does not accept the post of deputy CM, no Shiv Sena MLA will accept any responsibility in the new government,” party leader Uday Samant said.
Another Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said they believe Eknath Shinde will listen to their request and he will take oath as deputy CM.
“He is our leader and we want him to take oath as deputy CM. We are all going to meet Eknath Shinde. We will convince him and prepare him for the oath-taking.”
While party leader Deepak Kesarkar said party MLAs had also asked him to be part of the Maharashtra Cabinet to take up the post of Deputy CM during their meeting on Wednesday evening.
“He said he would take it as positive and he (Eknath Shinde) always listens to Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. If a message comes from there, it will be very good and he will always consider their decision. Even Devendra Fadnavis accepted the post of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra after the insistence of the central leadership of the BJP (in 2022). Our parties are different but the principles and ideologies are the same,” Kesarkar said.
The Sena leader added that the cabinet expansion should be done before the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Devendra Fadnavis is all set to take on the role of Chief Minister after taking oath today evening. Ajit Pawar has also confirmed that he will take oath as deputy chief ministers in the new government.
The oath-taking ceremony will take place at 5.30 pm at Azad Maidan in Mumbai in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
