‘Fadnavis will be CM’: NDA chief Ramdas Athawle calls on Shinde to accept deputy CM post

Last update:December 03, 2024, 1:55 p.m. IST

New Maharashtra CM Updates: BJP has called its legislature party meeting on November 4, which is expected to end the suspense over the new CM.

Maharashtra Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis | Image/X

Maharashtra New CM Updates: Amid suspense over Maharashtra’s new chief minister, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) chief Ramdas Athawle on Tuesday asserted that Devendra Fadnavis would take the lead role and called on Eknath Shinde to accept the vice-president’s post. CM.

The BJP has convened its legislative party meeting on November 4, with sources saying that Fadnavis will be elected party chief, paving the way for him to assume the chief minister’s post.

“He (Devendra Fadnavis) totally deserves it (CM post) because of his experience and past performance,” Republican Party of India leader (Athawle) said. CNN-News18.

He added that Eknath Shinde, whom the NDA wants to make deputy CM, is “distraught” by the decision. “I appeal to him (Eknath Shinde) to accept the post,” Athawle remarked.

Mahayuti will choose CM tomorrow

The party has appointed two central observers – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani to head the BJP legislature party meeting tomorrow.

“We are going to Mumbai tonight. Nirmala Sitharaman is also coming. We will have a meeting of the BJP Legislative Party tomorrow at 11 am,” Rupani said.

He further hinted that the decision on the new CM will be taken after the meeting and the elected leader could be considered for the post of CM, given the numerical superiority of the BJP over its ally NCP and Shiv Sena.

“Once the leader (of the Legislative Party) is elected, the high command will be informed of his name. An announcement will then be made.”

Rupani added that the BJP high command had discussed with the three allies about the formation of the Maharashtra government and reiterated that any decision would be taken keeping Shiv Sena and the NCP in full confidence.

The main demands of Eknath Shinde

Sources revealed that the Home Ministry has become the biggest friction point between the Mahayuti parties, particularly the BJP and Shiv Sena, amid delay in government formation.

Eknath Shinde, who is reportedly not willing to accept the post of Deputy CM, demanded the portfolios of the Ministry of Home Affairs and PWD and Revenue, which are among the key departments in the Maharashtra cabinet.

Earlier, reports claimed that Shinde, who did not want to settle for the deputy CM post, had pushed his son, Shrikant Shinde, for the role. However, his son clarified that these speculations were baseless.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Mahayuti government will take place on December 5 evening at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, party sources said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior NDA leaders would be present.