Eknath Shinde urges supporters not to rally for Maharashtra CM post as suspense continues

Amid suspense over the new Maharashtra chief minister following Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti's outstanding performance in the assembly elections, Eknath Shinde has urged supporters not to gather at his official residence, ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai, to demand his stay as the chief minister of the state.

"After the great victory of the Mahayuti alliance, our government will be formed once again in the state. As a grand alliance, we contested the election together and are still together today,” Shinde wrote on X.

However, the Shiv Sena leader asked his supporters not to gather outside the ‘Varsha’ bungalow or anywhere else in his support.

“Out of love for me, some people have appealed to everyone to gather together and come to Mumbai. I am deeply grateful for your love. But I appeal that no one should come together in my support in such a manner,” Shinde added.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a thumping victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, winning 230 seats out of 288. But there is no decision on the next chief minister of the state yet.

Supporters of Shinde argue that he should continue as Chief Minister, citing the landslide win under his leadership.

On the other hand, leaders of the BJP, which recorded its highest-ever seat tally have demonstrated their support for Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister to be sworn in as chief minister for the third time.

In recently concluded elections, the BJP secured 132 seats, while its allies — Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — won 57 and 41 seats respectively. The vote counting was held on Nov 23.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived in the national capital on Nov 25 to discuss government formation with top BJP leadership.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Naresh Mhaske cited the Bihar model to assert that Shinde should continue as the Chief Minister.

“We feel Shinde should be the chief minister, just like in Bihar where BJP did not look at the numbers but still made JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar the CM. Senior leaders of the Mahayuti (in Maharashtra) will ultimately take a decision,” news agency PTI quoted Mhaske as saying.