Eknath Shinde resigns as Maharashtra chief minister amid suspense on successor
Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde resigned as the chief minister of Maharashtra on Tuesday, days after the ruling Mahayuti alliance retained power after a landslide victory in the assembly election.
Shinde on Tuesday morning met Governor C P Radhakrishnan and tendered his resignation. The governor asked Shinde to act as a caretaker chief minister till a new CM is sworn in.
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena supremo Eknath Shinde are reportedly vying for the top political position of Maharashtra. The BJP’s claim for the post of the chief minister was bolstered by its performance in the assembly election, as it became the single-largest party by winning 132 seats.
Even though the Shiv Sena won only 57 seats, it has been demanding the top post citing NDA’s political arrangement in Bihar. Nitish Kumar is the chief minister of the state despite the BJP’s ‘big brother’ status in the coalition.
Shiv Sena demands CM post for Eknath Shinde
Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s spokesperson, Sheetal Mhatre, told reporters today that the Maratha community wants him to continue in the top post. It was also desirable that Shinde should continue as chief minister in view of the coming elections to the local bodies in the state, the leader added.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske on Monday demanded the post of Maharashtra chief minister for Eknath Shinde, saying the BJP must give a befitting reply to people who say the party uses and throws allies.
Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar said his party’s lawmakers feel that Eknath Shinde should continue as the chief minister.
“Shiv Sena MLAs feel Shinde should continue in the post because under his leadership the Mahayuti worked very well and performed spectacularly in polls,” Kesarkar told reporters.
He, however, added that Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Ajit Pawar (NCP) will take a unanimous decision.
Eknath Shinde asks supporters not to throng Mumbai house
Shinde, meanwhile, asked his supporters today to not throng his official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai to pitch for his continuation as the CM.
“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 said on X, asking his supporters not to assemble outside the Varsha bungalow, or any other location 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.
Eknath Shinde had become the chief minister in 2022, after he rebelled against then CM Uddhav Thackeray and joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party. After a protracted legal battle, the Maharashtra assembly speaker later ruled that Shinde’s faction – which had the support of over 40 MLAs – was the real Shiv Sena.