Maharashtra Politics / Shinde surrenders in Maharashtra, suspense over CM still remains

Maharashtra Politics: The suspense over the post of Chief Minister is deepening in Maharashtra politics. The current Chief Minister of the state Eknath Shinde held a press conference in Thane and announced that the final decision on the post of Chief Minister will be taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command. Shinde said that he will accept the decision of the BJP wholeheartedly and will work together under the new government.

Shinde's "surrender"

In an 18-minute Marathi press conference held in Thane, Shinde said, "When I got the responsibility of the post of Chief Minister, Maharashtra was at the third place in terms of development. I worked to bring it to the first place." He also told that women gave a one-sided mandate in his favor and his government had started the 'Ladki Behen' scheme for women.

Shinde clearly said that the decision on the post of Chief Minister will be of the BJP and he is fully prepared to work under it. He also read the famous Sher 'Abhi to udaan baki hai' to further strengthen his point.

BJP's performance and power equation

In Maharashtra, which has 288 assembly seats, the BJP alliance has won more than 230 seats. BJP won 132 seats and emerged as the largest party in the assembly. Eknath Shinde's party won 57 seats. BJP is just 13 steps away from the magic figure of 145 MLAs required to form the government. BJP also has the support of 5 independent and 41 NCP MLAs, which has made it easier for it to cross the majority mark.

Shinde's compulsion

Eknath Shinde has no option left except accepting BJP's formula in the current political equations. If Shinde does not remain in power, his position may weaken in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Shinde wants to strengthen his hold on the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which has been a stronghold of Shiv Sena.

Suspense over the CM post

Despite Eknath Shinde's statement, there is suspense over the post of Chief Minister. BJP has not announced any name on this issue. The party is planning to send observers to know the opinion of the MLAs. Only after this the final decision will be taken.

Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis have been called to Delhi to create coordination within the alliance. Shinde confirmed this and said that the name of the Chief Minister will be announced after the meeting of Mahayuti.

Expectations from BJP's previous decisions

In the last one year, BJP has formed new governments in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Haryana. In most of these states, the party has taken surprising decisions regarding the post of Chief Minister. For this reason, there is a round of speculation on who will be elected to the post of Chief Minister in Maharashtra.

Conclusion

After the spectacular victory of BJP and allies in Maharashtra, the suspense over the post of Chief Minister is making the politics of the state interesting. Eknath Shinde may have given up his claim to the post of Chief Minister, but his importance will remain in the new government. Now all eyes are on the BJP high command, which will make the final announcement of the name of the Chief Minister.