Outgoing Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said he would not be an obstacle to govt formation and would accept any decision taken by PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah as “final”, thus potentially clearing the way for the return of BJP‘s Devendra Fadnavis as the boss of Mantralaya in what would mark the capping stone on BJP’s astounding performance under him.
“I called PM Modi and Amit Shah on Tuesday and told them that your call as head of NDA and Mahayuti is final for us, just as it is final for BJP,” Shinde said, adding, “Our Shiv Sena will fully support BJP’s decision to name the next Maharashtra CM. There is no speed-breaker from our side.” The remarks were seen as tantamount to giving the BJP brass a free hand in picking the leader of the Mahayuti coalition.
Also read: Has Eknath Shinde set the stage for ‘Maha’ role reversal with Fadnavis?
Addressing a press conference in Thane, Shinde said, “I spoke with Modiji and Amit bhai on Tuesday and conveyed to them to not consider me as an obstacle while deciding the next Maharashtra CM. They gave us the opportunity to lead the state and helped us while we were in office. They are the senior-most leaders in the NDA and Mahayuti and their decision will be considered final for us. I told them Shiv Sena will wholeheartedly support their decision even if they choose a BJP candidate or anyone else from the Mahayuti.”
Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit to hold talks on power-sharing today
Eknath Shinde was flanked by some of his MLAs, including Pratap Sarnaik and Dada Bhuse during a press conference in Thane, where he said he had told PM Modi and Amit Shah to take a final call on next CM. “I am saying this openly, I am not holding anything back. I told PM Modi not to bring it to his mind that there is any issue in forming govt because of me. The decision you take is final for BJP, as it is final for us,” Shinde said.
Although the caretaker CM did not categorically state that he was conceding the CM’s post to BJP nor said that he was staking claim to the top post, there has scarcely been any doubt about BJP cashing in on its fantastic poll returns to restore Fadnavis to the office he held between 2014-2019 and had looked set to retain until coalition partner Uddhav Thackeray dramatically broke away from the BJP-Sena coalition to forge the MVA combine comprising Congress and NCP.
Asked if he was disappointed that he would not get a second term, Shinde said, “There is no such thing. You must remember BJP supported my tenure as CM.” Asked who the deputy CMs would be in the new cabinet, he said, “There is a meeting in Delhi tomorrow with Amit bhai (Shah) and all related decisions will be taken there.” Shinde said the power-sharing formula would be concluded after a meeting between him, Fadnavis and NCP’s Ajit Pawar in New Delhi on Thursday.
Also read: After ‘Maha’ drubbing, Sena (UBT) leader hints at party going solo in future polls
Reacting to Shinde’s announcement, Fadnavis said, “We have always been together. There are no differences in the Mahayuti. Even before the elections, I had said all decisions will be taken together. Today, Eknath Shinde has cleared all doubts. Soon, we shall sit with our leaders and take a decision.”
It was not clear whether Shinde would agree to be deputy CM under Fadnavis. BJP, on its part, is expected to urge him to join Fadnavis govt by citing the need to project unity.
In case he declines, there were indications of Sena nominating one of its three senior functionaries – Dada Bhuse, Sabhuraj Desai or Sanjay Shirsat.