Eknath Shinde

Eknath Shinde handles the urban development department which has superintendence over MMRDA, a state-run planning and development agency

Eknath Shinde has stayed away from several meetings convened by Fadnavis, including the Nashik Regional Development Authority meeting to discuss preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela

‘Our war is with the people who are opposing the development of Maharashtra,’ Shinde said

MHADA, the nodal agency for affordable housing in the state, plans to release around 30,000 homes a year through its regional boards

Eknath Shinde, the former Chief Minister and now one of two Deputy Chief Ministers, has been assigned the Urban Development, Housing, and Public Works (Public Enterprises) ministries.

For the sixth time, Ajit Pawar assumed office as Maharashtra's deputy chief minister after taking the oath on December 5

While Eknath Shinde was also expected to be part of the meeting alongside Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, he instead decided to stay put at his Thane residence and skip the meeting.

The trust motion, tabled by Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant and others, was passed by a voice vote on the last day of the three-day special assembly session.

The home ministry remains a sticking point in the power-sharing negotiations within the Mahayuti coalition, which includes the BJP, Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The three leaders were administered the oath as MLAs by the legislative assembly's pro-tem speaker Kalidas Kolambkar soon after the proceedings of the House began at 11 am.

Attracting more investments is crucial for countering the MVA's narrative that major investment opportunities are migrating to neighbouring Gujarat.

Addressing his first press conference after taking over as CM, Fadnavis said the mandate of people in the 2024 assembly elections reflected their expectations and love, and he is feeling the pressure of their hope.

"The way Devendra ji and Ajit dada (Pawar) helped and cooperated with me (when he was the CM), I will extend all possible cooperation and backing to the chief minister. We will work as a team," Shinde said.

The Mahayuti has returned to power in Maharashtra following a resounding electoral mandate. Could the changed power dynamics impact its functioning and delivery?

Devendra Fadnavis oath taking ceremony Live: The mega event at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers and chief ministers of various states, country's top industrialists and Bollywood celebrities.

Eknath Shinde has been the pivotal link between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, ensuring smooth coordination within the Mahayuti alliance. Under his leadership, the coalition government has operated with minimal controversy.

Notably, this will be the sixth time that Ajit Pawar will take oath as the Deputy chief minister of the state.

The swearing-in ceremony is set to take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on December 5 at 5.30 pm, in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Some political observers view it as an outreach effort by the BJP to placate an ally which is weighing its options, while others believe it served as a preliminary discussion regarding the swearing-in ceremony set for December 5.

Reportedly, newly elected BJP MLA Bharat Gogawale, a close ally of Shinde, revealed that Shinde had conveyed his desire to remain outside the government.