‘Will not wait to take oath’, quips Ajit Pawar as Eknath Shinde drags feet on accepting Deputy CM post - WATCH

Maharashtra CM-elect Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and NCP's Ajit Pawar addressing a press conference after staking claim to form a government. (ANI photo)

Suspense over the role of Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde in the new government continues despite the Mahayuti ending the uncertainty over chief ministership and declaring BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as its unanimous choice as new Chief Minister.

Addressing a press conference after Fadnavis, Shinde and NCP’s Ajit Pawar met Governor CP Radhakrishnan and staked claim to form the government, Shinde sought to play his cards close to his chest and refused to divulge whether or not he has accepted the BJP’s offer to be deputy CM.

“Wait till evening,” Shinde said when asked about his role in the Mahayuti government.

Ajit Pawar, who was present alongside Shinde at the joint press briefing, jumped in and said that he was unwilling to wait for Shinde to make up his mind.

“Inka shaam tak pata chalega… I will not wait.. I will take oath,” Pawar said in jest, leaving mediapersons present at the briefing as well as the three leaders in splits.

#WATCH | Mumbai: When asked if he and NCP chief Ajit Pawar will also take oath as Deputy CMs tomorrow, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde says, "Wait till evening..."Replying to Shinde, NCP chief Ajit Pawar says, "Sham tak unka samaj aayega, I will take it (oath), I will not wait." pic.twitter.com/ZPfgg6Knco
ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2024

Not one to take things lying down, Shinde hit back with a jibe at Pawar and reminded him of the early morning oath in 2019 alongside Fadnavis that saw him become Deputy CM in a government that barely lasted four hours.

"Dada (Ajit Pawar) has experience of taking (oath) both in the morning and evening," Shinde said.
Notably, Ajit Pawar is certain to take oath as Deputy CM along with Fadnavis as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai at 5.30 PM in the presence of several top dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among others.

The BJP is likely to get 22 departments, the Shiv Sena 12 and the NCP 10 ministries as part of the Mahayuti’s power-sharing formula, reports CNN-News18. It is not clear yet how many of these ministers will take oath at the ceremony on Thursday.

The development comes over 10 days after the BJP-led Mahayuti secured a brute majority in the state, winning 230 of the 288 seats in the state. The BJP bagged 132 of those, followed by 55 for the Shiv Sena and 41 for the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.