Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 | Eknath Shinde unlikely to be deputy CM in new government, says close aide

Shirsat, an MLA and spokesperson of the Shiv Sena, however, said Shinde would be a part of the cabinet.

Mumbai: Amid the crucial Maha Yuti talks to decide on the new Maharashtra Chief Minister, the Shiv Sena on Thursday hailed Eknath Shinde for his “humility and sense of duty” even as the party dropped indication that he would not be be serving as a deputy in the new dispensation.

However, Shinde (60) may be part of the new Council of Ministers.

After toppling the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi dispensation, Shinde became the chief leader of Shiv Sena and was the Maharashtra CM from 30 June 2022-27 November 2024.

As of now, he is the caretaker CM.

During his tenure, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and NCP’s Ajit Pawar had served as Deputy CM.

The Shiv Sena wanted Shinde to be appointed the CM again or given a two-and-a-half-year term, however, the BJP ruled it out after which he formally conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that he would go by their choice of the new CM.

“Shinde Saheb may not want to be the Deputy CM... does not befit a person who has already served as CM. He may nominate someone else for the post of Deputy CM…that is what it appears to me…he may be part of the Cabinet as a minister,” said Shiv Sena spokesperson and MLA Sanjay Shirsat, who is a close aide of Shinde.

On the other hand Shinde’ son Dr Shrikant Shinde, a three-time MP from Kalyan in the Thane district and the leader of Shiv Sena parliamentary party, hailed his father for humility and sense of duty.

Dr Shinde is a three-time MP from Kalyan in the Thane district and the leader of Shiv Sena parliamentary party.

"I am very proud of my father and our Shiv Sena chief leader Eknath ji Shinde Saheb. His unwavering commitment to Maharashtra and its people is unparalleled. He worked tirelessly day and night. Earned their love, trust and appreciation by serving selflessly to every section of the society,” Dr Shinde said.

“For Shinde Saheb, ‘CM' means 'Common Man’, he opened the doors of Varsha bungalow (the Chief Minister’s official residence in Malabar Hill) to common people and created a new history in public service,” he said.

“Even at the peak of his career, his humility and sense of duty is evident. He reposed faith in Modi and Shah and set an example how alliance dharma is more important than personal ambitions,” said Dr Shinde, an orthopaedic surgeon.

“Public service and nation building have always been top priorities for him and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come,” he added.

Asked whether Shinde would become minister, Shiv Sena and MLA and former minister Shambhuraj Desai said: "We have authorised Shinde Saheb to take all the final decisions."