‘My request…’: Eknath Shinde’s message to Sena workers sparks buzz amid Maharashtra CM race

Last update:November 26, 2024, 11:56 AM IST

Eknath Shinde, in a social media post, urged his supporters not to express support, emphasizing the unity and strength of the Mahayuti alliance.

Eknath Shinde (PTI file photo)

As speculation over Maharashtra’s new chief minister continues, Eknath Shinde, in a cryptic social media post, on Tuesday urged his supporters not to gather in Varsha Niwas or elsewhere to put pressure on the Mahayuti alliance in power so that she returns to the presidency.

Shinde also wrote that the alliance will continue to be strong for a prosperous Maharashtra.

“After the great victory of Mahayuti, our government will be formed again in the state. As a grand alliance, we contested the elections together and are still together today. Out of love for me, some congregations called on everyone to come together and come to Mumbai,” suggests a rough translation of Shinde’s message into the regional language.

“I am deeply grateful for your love. But I appeal that no one unite in this way to support me. Once again, I humbly request that Shiv Sena workers not gather at Varsha Niwas or anywhere else,” he added.

“The grand alliance has been and will continue to be strong for a strong and prosperous Maharashtra,” Shinde’s message read.

Within hours of his post, Eknath Shinde resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister and was appointed as caretaker chief minister.

He, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, had arrived at the Raj Bhavan to meet Governor CP Radhakrishnan, as the term of the Maharashtra Assembly comes to an end today.

Meanwhile, sources in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) told CNN-News18 that the decision on the chief minister and the swearing-in may take another seven days.

SHIV SAINIKS HOLDS PRAYER MEETING IN THANE

Shinde’s post came hours after several Shiv Sainiks held prayer meetings at temples in Thane on Monday to ensure that Eknath Shinde gets a second term in the top post.

Prayers were held at the Siddhi Vinayak temple in Kashish Park locality, with many women saying the Mahayuti sweep was due to Shinde’s connect with the masses, his accessibility and the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana’.

Puja was also held at Daulat Nagar in Thane East, news agency PTI reported.

The report also quotes Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske as saying that all Shiv Sainiks believe Shinde should get a second term as chief minister.

He expressed hope that Mahayuti leaders will follow the strategy followed in other states, like Bihar, where leaders were given opportunities based on merit, irrespective of their previous positions.

Thane district is Shinde’s territory and he won the recent Kopri-Pachpakhadi Assembly polls with a margin of over 1.2 lakh votes.

MAHARASHTRA ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2024

The Mahayuti alliance won a thumping majority in the Maharashtra assembly elections. However, the government formation process was delayed after reports suggested that the BJP and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were backing Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the chief minister’s post.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena camp was pushing Eknath Shinde to return to his chair.

The Fadnavis-led BJP won a record 132 seats for the party, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 57 seats.

Reports suggest that the government formation formula has been decided and Maharashtra will again have two deputy chief ministers and one chief minister.

Sources said the BJP is likely to have 24 ministers and Shiv Sena 12, while the NCP is likely to have 10 ministers in the new government.

Similarly, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah soon.

FORMATION OF MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT

While the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections were declared on November 23, reports also suggested that the new chief minister would take oath as early as November 26.

However, no decision has yet been taken on who would be sworn in as the chief minister.

Meanwhile, a legislative branch official dismissed reports that presidential rule could take effect if a new government is not in place by November 26, when the mandate of the 14th assembly of the State ends.

In fact, as Election Commission officials submitted copies of the gazette with names of newly elected members of the state legislative assembly to Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Sunday, the 15th assembly is already in place, PTI quoted an official as saying. .