Eknath Shinde To Be Deputy Chief Minister
The political tussle in Maharashtra has finally come to an end with Eknath Shinde set to join the Devendra Fadnavis-led government as Deputy Chief Minister. After stepping back from the Chief Minister race last week, Shinde had kept a low profile but is now confirmed to take up the deputy role. Fadnavis is expected to take his oath tomorrow in Mumbai, with preparations already underway. Speculation is rife that Ajit Pawar might also take oath alongside, following a teaser he provided about joining the new government.
Fadnavis met Governor CP Radhakrishnan today to stake his claim to form the government and hiEknath Shinde To Be Deputy Chief Ministernted that he had convinced Shinde to be part of the administration. Fadnavis expressed his gratitude towards Shinde, saying, “The Chief Minister post is just a technical agreement between us… we have been together to take decisions and will continue to do so.”
Shinde, in turn, acknowledged the decision, stating, “Two-and-a-half years ago, Fadnavis recommended my name for Chief Minister. This time, we recommend his name.” He had previously declared that he would not stand in the way of the BJP’s decision for the top post. After his public statement, Shinde took a brief break to his village in Satara, while his supporters continued to push for his claim to the Chief Minister role.
Yesterday, Shinde was hospitalized for a “routine check-up,” and shortly after his return, Fadnavis visited him at the official residence of the Chief Minister, ‘Varsha.’ The developments mark a resolution to the two-week-long stalemate that had delayed the government formation in Maharashtra.
