Maharasthra Assembly elections: Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s press conference in Satara on government formation

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde addresses a press conference in Satara on December 1, 2024. | Photo credit: PTI

A week after scoring a resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Mahayuti alliance – comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP – still finds itself mired in uncertainty over the state’s next chief minister . Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena on Sunday asserted that the decision was up to the BJP and assured his full support to the chosen candidate.

Speaking at his native Dare village in Satara district, Mr. Shinde said, “I have made my stand clear. The decision regarding the post of Chief Minister, as taken by the BJP leadership, will have my full support.” He also dismissed concerns about his health and his recent visit to the village, saying he was there to rest after falling ill. “Our responsibility has increased due to the massive mandate given by the people,” he added.

While Mr Shinde projects unity in public, private talks between the Mahayuti allies continue, with discussions involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah. State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the oath-taking ceremony was scheduled for December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, giving a deadline for the end of the Leaders’ guessing games.

“The CM will decide on the Cabinet”

BJP leader Raosaheb Danve hinted that the decision had been finalized, but an official announcement was awaited. “Even people know who will be the next chief minister. We are awaiting final confirmation from senior party leaders,” Mr. Danve hinted, fueling speculation that the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, a former CM and Mr. Shinde’s deputy in the outgoing government, would be the frontrunner for the post.

Mr. Danve added that the composition of the State Cabinet would be at the discretion of the new Chief Minister. “It is the prerogative of the Chief Minister to decide who will be in the Cabinet,” he noted, dismissing concerns over Mr. Shinde’s absence from Mumbai.

The opposition denounces the delay

Amid the uncertainty, opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray criticized the Mahayuti’s failure to appoint a chief minister, accusing them of taking Maharashtra lightly. “Not being able to decide on a chief minister more than a week after the results is not only an insult to Maharashtra but also to the assistance provided by their beloved Election Commission,” Mr. Thackeray said in a message on X.

He questioned the legality of declaring a swearing-in date without even claiming to form the government. “Unilaterally declaring the date of swearing-in without showing the figures to the honorable governor is pure anarchy,” he said, raising the prospect of presidential rule and suggesting that if the opposition had been in a similar situation, the rules would have been applied. differently.

Mr. Thackeray’s scathing remarks extended to Mr. Shinde’s absence. “In all this, the caretaker CM is on a mini-vacation, depending on the phase of the moon, as we have regularly observed before,” he said.