Eknath Shinde 'unwell', BJP MLAs to meet as speculation grows over Maharashtra CM | 10 updates

BJP leader Girish Mahajan met Maharashtra's caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, who is recovering from illness. A crucial meeting of newly elected BJP MLAs is set for December 4, ahead of the new chief minister's swearing-in on December 5. Devendra Fadnavis is a frontrunner for the position.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Girish Mahajan met Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, on Monday. Shinde, who had been unwell with a throat infection and fever, is reportedly recovering well.

Here are the top ten updates:

1. A crucial meeting of newly-elected BJP MLAs is scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Vidhan Bhawan in south Mumbai, according to a party functionary, PTI reported. The BJP has said that the new chief minister of Maharashtra will take the oath of office on the evening of December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders from the BJP and its allies in attendance. Though the party hasn't announced officially, two-time former chief minister and outgoing deputy CM in the Mahayuti government, Devendra Fadnavis, is widely regarded as the frontrunner for the top post.

2. Mahajan said they discussed preparations for the swearing-in ceremony of the next Maharashtra Chief Minister during their meeting with Eknath Shinde. He also emphasized that there were no conflicts within the Mahayuti alliance leadership. Mahajan assured that their conversation was cordial, and they would continue working together for the state's welfare.

2. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar stated that the recent Maharashtra assembly elections were fought under Eknath Shinde's leadership, and it is for the BJP's central leadership to decide how to honour his role. He added that Shinde's contributions as the caretaker chief minister should be acknowledged.

3. Ajit Pawar, NCP leader, flew to Delhi on Monday. However, Maharashtra's caretaker CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis will remain in Mumbai. The discussion in the political circle had been about the ongoing uncertainty that who would be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The result is expected to come by Wednesday, December 4.

4. A day after a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader claimed that Devendra Fadnavis had been finalized for the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister, the party appointed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as central observers. They will oversee the BJP's state legislature party meeting, where the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are set to elect their leader for the top post.

5. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde, has brushed aside the media reports claiming that he will be appointed as the deputy CM in the new state government.

6. In a post on X, the Lok Sabha member said he had the chance of becoming a minister at the Centre after this year’s Lok Sabha polls, but refused it as he wanted to focus on working for the party organisation. "I have no desire for a position of power. I make it clear once again that I am not in the race for any ministerial position in the state," he said.

7. Amid speculations that Shiv Sena is keen on Home portfolio, Eknath Shinde said on Sunday that the modalities of government formation would be decided by the Mahayuti allies through consensus.

8. The two major allies of the BJP in the Mahayuti alliance, the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), are likely to be rewarded with deputy chief minister posts in the new government.

9. The caretaker Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena, already said he will respect the top BJP leadership's decision on the chief minister post.

10. In the Maharashtra assembly elections held on November 20, Mahayuti alliance won 230 out of the 288 seats. The BJP became the largest party with 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 57 seats and NCP with 41 seats.

( Inputs from News agecneis)