After a two-day break, which sparked rumors about his discontent, Eknath Shinde is back in Mumbai, clearing the way for the resumption of stalled power-sharing talks.
The caretaker chief minister, who is reportedly unhappy about not being appointed home minister in the new government, has not denied these claims. He mentioned that the decision will be made in a meeting with top leaders from the three alliance parties.
Shinde had taken a two-day trip to his native village, Dare in Satara, on Friday, canceling a planned meeting with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and NCP chief Ajit Pawar. This meeting, which was meant to discuss the allocation of departments, cabinet positions, and guardian ministerships, is now expected to take place on Monday.
Shinde had insisted on being given the home department, after being told by the BJP leadership that the chief minister would come from the BJP. However, when the BJP decided not to give him this crucial department, which is likely to remain with the chief minister, Shinde reportedly became upset and left for his village.
After returning from Dare on Sunday, Shinde held a meeting with his senior colleagues to discuss the party's position on government formation. Speaking to the media in Thane, he said that the leaders of the three parties would soon make a decision on power-sharing.
When asked about the Shiv Sena’s demand for the home department and whether he wanted his son, Shrikant Shinde, to become deputy chief minister, Shinde did not provide a direct answer.
Instead, he said that a meeting had already taken place with Amit Shah, and another meeting would soon be held with the three Mahayuti leaders.
"After this, an appropriate decision will be made," he added, emphasising the party's commitment to forming a good government for Maharashtra.
Shinde also clarified that the BJP would decide on the chief minister's position, and he would go along with that decision.
Shinde explained that his trip to Dare was due to being unwell after the strain of the election campaign. "I was on medication for two days," he said, adding that he had not taken a single day off during his two and a half years as chief minister.
In a meeting with union minister Amit Shah on Thursday night, Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar discussed the power-sharing outline. Shah reportedly informed Shinde that the home department would remain with the BJP.
However, the Shiv Sena is pushing for the same arrangement that was made when Fadnavis kept the home department while serving as deputy chief minister in the Shinde-led government.
The Shiv Sena is also pressing the BJP to concede the speaker's post, a crucial position in coalition governments, in addition to the home department. The BJP, however, is not willing to give up either post and intends to keep both.
Sources say that if Shinde does not get the home department, he will not accept the deputy chief minister role. He is reportedly pushing for his son, Shrikant Shinde, to be made deputy chief minister.
BJP leader Raosaheb Danve stated that the decision on the home department and other portfolios would be made by the leaders of the three parties.
As for the chief minister’s post, he said, "The people of Maharashtra know who it is, but it will be announced at the appropriate time." Danve added that the formal announcement would be made following the party's usual process.
The BJP is expected to officially elect the chief minister during a meeting of the 132 newly elected MLAs, which is likely to take place on Tuesday or Wednesday. The party has asked all MLAs to stay in Mumbai for four days starting Monday, and the new government will be formed after the leader is chosen.
The oath-taking ceremony for the new Mahayuti government is scheduled for December 5 at Azad Maidan.
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