Devendra Fadnavis to Lead Maharashtra Government, Eknath Shinde Agrees to Stay in Cabinet

35
499

Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister-elect of Maharashtra, announced today that Eknath Shinde has agreed to remain part of the state cabinet, ending the two-week uncertainty following the election results. The announcement came after Fadnavis and Shinde met Governor CP Radhakrishnan earlier in the day to stake claim to form the government.

Reflecting on his meeting with Shinde the previous evening, Fadnavis expressed gratitude for Shinde’s support. “Yesterday, I requested Eknath Shinde to remain in the cabinet, which he graciously accepted. The Chief Minister’s post is merely a technical agreement between us; we’ve made decisions together before and will continue to do so,” Fadnavis said during a media briefing.

Shinde, who had earlier retreated to his village in Satara amid speculation about his next move, assured his support, stating, “Two-and-a-half years ago, Fadnavis recommended my name for Chief Minister. This time, we recommended his name for the post.” Shinde had recently undergone a “routine check-up” at a hospital, which temporarily fueled uncertainty about his role in the government.

The meeting between the BJP’s Fadnavis and Shinde, the Shiv Sena faction leader, set the stage for the BJP’s key meeting today, where Fadnavis was officially named Chief Minister. The decision resolves the deadlock that had provided fodder for criticism from the opposition over the delay in government formation.

Despite the BJP’s overwhelming majority in the assembly elections, Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena had pushed for another term for Shinde, citing the popularity of welfare schemes implemented during his tenure. Shinde’s supporters argued that these initiatives played a significant role in the Mahayuti coalition’s election victory.

The collaboration between Fadnavis and Shinde reflects a strategic partnership within the coalition, focusing on continuity and stability in the state’s administration. The official swearing-in ceremony is expected soon, marking the beginning of Maharashtra’s new government.

35 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here