Eknath Shinde on Maharashtra CM race: BJP's decision final, told PM Modi I won't be a roadblock

Eknath Shinde

As the suspense over the next the chief minister of Maharashtra continues, four days after the Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive mandate, caretaker CM Eknath Shinde obliquely reminded the electorate of his government's welfare work over the two-year period.

Without clearly answering the question on the ongoing suspense over the chief ministership, Shinde said the decision is best left to the central BJP leadership. "Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena will not act as a hindrance in  government formation," quipped the senior Shiv Sena leader.

During the presser, Eknath communicated that during a telephonic interaction with Prime Minister Modi, the Sena leader assured that he won't act as a hindrance for Mahayuti as the group unanimously decide on a chief ministerial pick.

Elucidating on various people-centric programmes of his government, he said that the mandate is a reflection of the faith people reposed in us. The Shiv Sena leader also thanked the Sena workers for their tireless work.

"For the past 2-4 days you must have seen rumours that someone is miffed. We are not people who get miffed...I spoke with the PM yesterday and told him that there is no obstruction from our end in forming the government (in Maharashtra). You make a decision. BJP's decision is the final. Who is the leader of NDA? PM Modi and HM Amit Shah. So, I called up both of them that there is no problem from our end in forming the government in Maharashtra. You make a decision and we will accept the decision...Whatever decision is made by the senior leaders of the BJP regarding the CM post, their candidate will be fully supported by Shiv Sena..." sad Shinde.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shinde said that the welfare work was only possible because of the support from the Centre. Speaking extensively on the "Ladki Bahin Yojana", he said the scheme was transformational and went a long way to ensure women empowerment.

On Tuesday, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde stepped down as Maharashtra Chief Minister. Maharashtra Governor accepting Shinde’s resignation and asked that he serve as the ‘caretaker’ chief minister until a new cabinet is sworn in.

While the BJP wants Devendra Fadnavis for the top job, its ally Shiv Sena is rooting for its leader Eknath Shinde. The BJP is now holding backroom talks with its ally to iron out differences and prevent embarrassment once it names its choice for the top job.

However, the third alliance partner in Mahayuti, NCP, Ajit Pawar is rooting, according to sources, for his fellow deputy CM and has agreed to support Devendra Fadnavis for the Chief Minister position. Pawar convened a meeting with newly-elected NCP MLAs at his residence on Sunday, where he reportedly shared his support for Fadnavis. Pawar's NCP emerged as the third biggest Mahayuti party with 41 seats, following Shinde Sena's 57.

The Mahayuti alliance, which won the Maharashtra elections by a massive margin, is yet to announce who will be the next chief minister of the state. The Mahayuti alliance secured 235 of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra assembly elections, with the BJP winning 131 seats they contested in, and the Shiv Sena and NCP winning 57 and 41 seats respectively.