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Mumbai: The suspense over who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra continues on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena leaders have said that Eknath Shinde is “not upset” and will take a “big decision” in the next 24 hours.
The three key leaders of the ruling Mahayuti alliance – Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar – met Union Home Minister and the BJP's chief strategist Amit Shah in Delhi on Thursday night and were expected to meet in Mumbai to pick the next CM later in the day. However, the meeting was called off and Shinde headed to his native village in Satara district.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said that the name of the Chief Ministerial face for Maharashtra is likely to be announced soon, claiming that the oath-taking ceremony will be held on Monday (December 2).
On Eknath Shinde heading to his native village in Satara district amid the suspense over the chief ministerial face, the Shiv sena leader said that whenever Eknath Shinde feels that he needs some time to think, he goes to his native village. "When he (Eknath Shinde) has to make a big decision, he goes to his native village. By tomorrow evening, he (Eknath Shinde) will take a very big decision.," he asserted.
'Shinde Will Not Go To Delhi': Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena leader also asserted that Eknath Shinde will not take any position offered in the Union cabinet as his interest lies in Maharashtra politics. "Eknath Shinde will not go to Delhi. He is more interested in Maharashtra politics than Delhi politics," he added.
Shinde Not Upset, But Unwell
Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant claimed that the outgoing Chief Minister if not upset, but was facing health issues since he was in Delhi for the meeting with Shah. Shinde has, earlier, said that he would accept the decision of the BJP top brass on the next chief minister.
"He (Shinde) is not upset. Even in Delhi, he was down with fever and cold. It will be wrong to say he has gone to Dare because he is upset," the Sena leader maintained. "Anyone can face health issues, and if he has gone to a good place (for health reasons), there is no point in concluding that he is upset," Samant added.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results
In the assembly elections, BJP bagged 132 Assembly seats, the highest among all constituents of the Mahayuti alliance. Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP also performed well. Sena won 57 while NCP bagged 41 seats.
The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a setback. The grand old party registered one of its worst performances in the assembly polls as it won only 16 seats. Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP) won just 10 seats, whereas Uddhav Thackeray's (UBT) won 20 seats.
(With inputs from agencies)