Devendra Fadnavis meets Eknath Shinde amid 'Maha' CM suspense

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had come to meet him Eknath Shinde to inquire about his ill health," said Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale on the meeting between caretaker CM of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis.

On being asked if Eknath Shinde will take oath (during government formation), he said: "After a decision is taken, Eknath Shinde will take the oath." (ANI)

Maharashtra's CM

Eknath Shinde held a meeting with concerned officials to take stock of the preparations for the event to be held at Chaityabhoomi on the death anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar on December 6. The meeting was held in hybrid mode and it was attended Dy CM Devendra Fadanvis, State Minister Deepak Kesarkar and Chief Secretary Sujata Sounik among others.

Amid growing speculation over who will assume the chief minister's role in Maharashtra, caretaker CM Eknath Shinde was taken to a private hospital in Thane on Tuesday afternoon after complaining of a viral throat infection. Shinde, who resides at Shubhadeep Bungalow in the Louiswadi area, was taken to Jupiter Hospital in Laxmi Nagar, just minutes from his home.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar may meet Union minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday evening, a senior party leader said here. State NCP chief Sunil Tatkare was responding to a question about reports that Pawar had sought a meeting with the senior BJP leader but was put on "waiting list".

No appointment had been sought, Tatkare said, amid the continuing suspense over who would be the next Maharashtra chief minister. "Amit Shah is currently in Chandigarh. We may hold political discussions tonight. We will talk about what is happening," said Tatkare. "There is no question of waiting (for appointment)," he added.

A day after caretaker CM Eknath Shinde said power-sharing formula in Mahayuti, barring the CM post, would be ironed out during talks with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis and NCP's Ajit Pawar, a meeting of the three via video conferencing was expected to be held Monday but it didn't take place. Later in the evening, BJP member & Fadnavis's confidant Girish Mahajan met Shinde at his residence. He clarified that he only sought to enquire about Shinde's health and they "did not discuss politics". "We are all together in Mahayuti.

Shinde will be there for the swearing-in ceremony," he said. Mahajan told reporters after his visit to Shinde's residence that he had sought an appointment with him five to six days ago but because the caretaker CM was unwell and in his native village, they could not meet. "He has a throat infection and fever and is on saline. His health will improve and as caretaker CM, he will take part in official meetings. All issues concerning cabinet berths and portfolios will be discussed by senior members," he said.

A day after caretaker CM Eknath Shinde said the power sharing formula in Mahayuti, barring CM post, would be ironed out during talks with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis and NCP's Ajit Pawar, a meeting of the three via video conferencing was expected to be held Monday but it didn't take place. Shinde was expected to attend the meeting via a video call as he is unwell and has been advised not to travel, but a senior Sena functionary said the party is waiting for a call from BJP to be invited to the meeting since it has gone ahead and announced that the new govt will be sworn in on Dec 5. Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat said it is possible that the three would have a meeting late on Monday or on Tuesday.

"The power sharing formula will be decided at the meeting," he said. Reiterating Shinde's stand, he said, "Who will be the CM will be decided by the BJP brass. Whoever it picks will have Sena's complete support."

The suspense over new Maharashtra chief minister is expected to end on Wednesday when BJP's state legislature party elects its new leader at a meeting in Vidhan Bhavan. All newly elected MLAs have been told to attend the meeting. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, who were appointed as central observers, will also be present at the meeting. Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as the frontrunner to lead the state govt, while Sena has demanded that Eknath Shinde be allowed to continue as CM. In the state assembly elections held on Nov 20, with results declared three days later, Mahayuti alliance secured 230 out of 288 seats. BJP led with 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 57 and NCP with 41. Sources said the central leadership will decide on who will be the party chief in the legislature. "All MLAs will unanimously approve the choice," said a source.

Photo credit: Uma Kadam

Shiv Sena MLA Gulabrao Patil suggested that the party could have gained more seats without Ajit Pawar's NCP in the Mahayuti alliance. Patil praised Eknath Shinde's leadership, showing no dissatisfaction despite Pawar’s inclusion. As Mahayuti prepares to announce the next Maharashtra CM, Shinde has pledged support for the BJP's decision.