Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 | Shinde falls in line, decks clear for BJP CM

'Our Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP’s decision to name the next Maharashtra CM. There is no speed breaker from our side,' said Shinde.

Mumbai: Paving the way for the formation of the next BJP-led Maha Yuti government in Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said that he would completely back whatever decisions Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah take on the new Maharashtra Chief Minister. 

The development comes hours after the Shiv Sena came out with slogan ‘Eknath hai toh safe hai’ even as Sena workers performed puja across temples of the state praying for another term - which was being seen as a posturing. 

However, now he seems to be in sync with BJP’s top-brass. 

The BJP was in a tight spot after Shiv Sena rooted for another term for Shinde leading to a crisis in the Maha Yuti which also involved Ajit Pawar-led NCP. 

State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule and veteran Sudhir Mungantiwar have welcomed the decision of Shinde, who is the chief leader of Shiv Sena. 

BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, a two-time CM, one-time Deputy CM and ex-Leader of Opposition is the frontrunner for the top job - and even the state unit have asked for his anointment after the landslide victory. 

Shinde, who is now the caretaker CM, accompanied by Fadnavis and Pawar, would meet Shah on Thursday after which the name would be endorsed. 

Fadnavis said that Shinde has cleared the air on the issue and the leadership will take a call. “There is no different opinion in Maha Yuti,” he said. "We all are together whether Shinde Saheb or Ajit Dada...the decision would be taken jointly," he added. 

"I called Modi and Shah yesterday and told them to decide on the (new) CM and assured them that I will abide by whatever decision they take… they are the leaders of NDA and we are part of the alliance,” Shinde told a hurriedly-convened press conference at his Thane residence. 

“I am not upset… I am not disappointed, we fight and don't cry… we all have worked together… for me CM is a common man… I work for common people… I will continue to do so till the last drop of my blood,” he said rubbishing reports that he was upset. 

Asked whether he would accept the post of Deputy CM or remain in the state or move to Centre, Shinde evaded direct replies. “Tomorrow… there is a meeting with Shah,” he said. 

"I worked as the CM not to become popular but for the welfare of people of Maharashtra," Shinde said, adding that in the last two-and-a-half years he has become the ‘Ladka Bhau' of Maharashtra - which he said is a bigger post for him. 

“I am satisfied with my tenure of two-and-a-half-years. Modi and Shah  stood behind me like a rock during my tenure. We were able to do rapid fast-track development because the state and Centre had the same double engine government,” said Shinde. 

In the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, BJP tops with 132 while Shiv Sena and NCP got 57 and 41 seats, respectively. 

Maharashtra Assembly poll 2024 results | Check constituency results here

Jharkhand Assembly poll 2024 results | Check constituency results here

Bypoll 2024 results | Check Karnataka results here

Assembly Elections 2024 | The Maharashtra Assembly polls took place against the backdrop of a fractured political landscape in the western state where the Shiv Sena and NCP went up against the Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar factions, even as the BJP and Congress tried to make their mark. Maha Yuti are currently comfortably poised to win. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM faced a challenge after Hemant Soren's arrest and Champai, a longstanding party member, joining the BJP, but look set to retain power with its I.N.D.I.A. allies. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.

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