MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister, Eknath Shinde, is likely to resign tomorrow but will continue as the caretaker CM, party functionaries said on Monday.
Shiv Sena insiders stated that CM Shinde is expected to submit his resignation to the governor on Tuesday and remain as a caretaker CM until the new chief minister and cabinet are sworn in.
‘No formula’
Maharashtra deputy chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday clarified that no “formula” for the chief minister’s post is currently under discussion, adding that the decision will be made collectively by the Mahayuti partners.
Speaking to reporters, the NCP leader highlighted the significant mandate received by the Mahayuti in the state assembly polls and noted that the MVA does not even have sufficient numbers to claim the leader of the opposition’s position in the assembly.
Pawar credited the government’s Ladki Bahin scheme, which provides financial assistance to women, as a key factor in Mahayuti’s success in the recent elections.
On Monday, the deputy CM paid tribute to Maharashtra’s first chief minister, Yashwantrao Chavan, at his memorial ‘Pritisangam’ in Karad, marking his death anniversary.
In the results declared on Saturday, the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the NCP, secured a landslide victory, winning 230 out of 288 assembly seats.
Devendra Fadnavis widely seen as strong contender
BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is widely seen as a strong contender for the chief ministerial position, given the BJP’s impressive tally of 132 seats out of the 149 it contested.
Regarding cabinet formation, Pawar mentioned that the three parties would decide on the allocation of positions. He also dismissed rumors of a looming President’s rule if the government is not formed by November 27.
“There are news reports that government should be formed before November 27 or else there will be President’s rule, but there’s nothing like that,” he said.
Pawar emphasized the strength of the Mahayuti’s majority, stating, “We now have a massive majority that not a single party from the opposition has got enough numbers to nominate leader of the opposition. This is a fact and one cannot deny it.”
He assured that Fadnavis and Shinde would uphold the tradition of respecting the opposition and other assembly members.