Maharashtra yet to pick CM: Is Eknath Shinde holding up govt formation?

Ten days after Maharashtra voters chose the Mahayuti to lead the state, the coalition is yet to announce its chief ministerial candidate. Reports say the suspense will finally end on Wednesday (December 4) and the new CM will take oath on Thursday.

While preparations for the swearing-in ceremony at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai are in full swing, speculations have arisen about Eknath Shinde being “unhappy” with the government formation. His absence from Mumbai last week had further fuelled the rumours.

The next Maharashtra CM is expected to be from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Devendra Fadnavis considered the frontrunner. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)’s Ajit Pawar has already declared support for Fadnavis.

Let’s take a closer look.

Eknath Shinde rushes to hospital

Maharashtra caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde was taken to a private hospital in Thane today for a “routine check-up”.

When asked about his health by reporters, Shinde replied, “badhiya hai (all good)”.

#WATCH | Thane: On being asked about his health condition, Maharashtra Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde says "Badhiya hai." pic.twitter.com/EvejRPRkbP

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024

A doctor at Thane’s Jupiter hospital told PTI, “The CM had fever and infection, which caused weakness. He also underwent an MRI scan as a precautionary measure.”

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The Shiv Sena leader returned to Varsha, his official residence in Mumbai, after being discharged from the hospital.

Shinde, who travelled to his native village in Satara district last Friday, had fallen “ill”. His family doctor, RM Patre, told ANI that the Shiv Sena chief was suffering from fever and a throat infection.

“He is doing fine now. He has been experiencing fever, body pain, throat infection, and cold for the past two days. We have administered antibiotics. A team of three to four doctors is attending to him,” he had said.

Explaining the reason behind his visit to Satara, Shinde had said he needed a breather after the exhausting election campaign.

However, the Shiv Sena chief heading to his native village after talks in Delhi with the BJP top brass had raised speculations.

Shinde has previously said he would support the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the next Maharashtra CM.

Is Eknath Shinde ‘upset’?

The recent developments sparked speculations that Shinde was unhappy about the Maharashtra government formation.

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leader Ramdas Athawale told CNN-News18 that Shinde is “upset” over the BJP-led group offering him the deputy CM post. “I appeal to him (Eknath Shinde) to accept the position,” the Republican Party of India (Athawle) leader said.

He also backed Fadnavis for the top post citing his “experience and performance in the past”.

As per reports, Shinde is eyeing the Home Ministry, which the BJP is unlikely to part with.

A senior BJP leader earlier told Hindustan Times (HT) that Fadnavis is likely to retain the home department, which he held when he was the CM and also as Shinde’s deputy.

Sources told Indian Express that Shinde knows that his demand would not be fulfilled.

The Shiv Sena leader, who is seen as delaying the government formation, does not have many options but to come to terms with the BJP’s decision. According to Indian Express, the Shiv Sena leader may use the opportunity to position himself as the tallest Maratha leader, after Sharad Pawar.

The BJP, which can form the government even with just NCP’s support, is “wooing” Shinde for several reasons, including the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the newspaper noted.

ALO READ: Explained: 5 ‘Maha’ factors that led to Mahayuti’s win in Maharashtra

Will Shinde be part of the Maharashtra govt?

Shinde, Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar are likely to hold a meeting on Tuesday evening to finalise government formation, as per Indian Express.

Eknath Shinde के आवास पर तय होगा Maharashtra सरकार के गठन का फार्मुला! | Hindi News pic.twitter.com/Y9tRJoBgRG

— News18 India (@News18India) December 3, 2024

This meeting will come a day ahead of the BJP state legislature meeting to elect its new leader. On Monday, the saffron party had announced Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as its central observers for the legislature party meeting.

The new CM will take oath on December 5 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other bigwigs.

Notably, the BJP is yet to stake claim to form the government.

Ajit Pawar, who is in Delhi, could meet Amit Shah on Tuesday evening. Dismissing reports that Pawar was put on the “waiting list”, Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare said, “No appointment had been sought”.

He said the Union Home Minister is in Chandigarh, adding that political discussion could take place tonight. “We will talk about what is happening,” Tatkare reportedly said.

Amid suspense over Maharashtra’s CM, questions remain over whether Shinde would be a part of the government. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said on the matter that “we will get to know about it by this evening,” as per Indian Express.

With inputs from agencies