Maharashtra Political Drama: Shinde Defends Serious Stance After Meeting with Amit Shah
Reported by Tikam Shekhawat
Mumbai/New Delhi, 29th November 2024: In a crucial development for the Mahayuti alliance, Maharashtra’s top leaders Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar held a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Thursday. The meeting, which was attended by BJP National President J.P. Nadda, as well as NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, has sparked speculation over the formation of the state government and the ongoing chief ministerial tussle.
While the details of the meeting have not been disclosed, the discussion reportedly focused on resolving key issues within the alliance, including the allocation of ministerial portfolios. Eknath Shinde, the caretaker Chief Minister of Maharashtra, remained tight-lipped about the specifics, but his statement post-meeting raised eyebrows.
The Mahayuti alliance, which secured a total of 239 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly, is currently at a crossroads regarding the leadership question. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, followed by Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena (57 seats) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP (41 seats). Despite the alliance’s victory, the question of who will assume the Chief Minister’s position remains unresolved, with both Shinde and Pawar vying for the top post.
Shinde, however, reiterated his stance on the Chief Ministership, stating, “I have announced my position and supported the name of the Shiv Sena Chief Minister in the Mahayuti. The deadlock is over, and everything is in order.” Shinde’s comments came after weeks of speculation over the power-sharing arrangement between the three parties.
In a lighthearted moment during the meeting, photos of the leaders meeting with Amit Shah and Nadda circulated online, showcasing smiling faces, except for Shinde, whose serious demeanor caught attention. This image quickly sparked discussions about the underlying tensions within the alliance.
Responding to questions about his expression, Shinde defended his stance, saying, “You are deciding whether my face looks serious or smiling. The discussion in Delhi was positive. I am a caring Chief Minister, and I am taking care of everyone. We have implemented welfare schemes for the people of Maharashtra, like the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which is important. We are satisfied that the people are satisfied.”
Shinde’s remarks have been seen as an attempt to quell rising speculation about his discomfort over the ongoing negotiations and his future in the government.
The political scenario in Maharashtra remains fluid, with the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) continuing their discussions over the Chief Minister’s post and other key ministerial positions. While Shinde and Pawar continue to make their case, BJP’s role in determining the final decision remains crucial.
As the Mahayuti partners return to Mumbai, all eyes are on the next round of talks and the crucial BJP meeting scheduled to take place in the coming days. The political drama in Maharashtra is far from over, and the alliance will have to iron out its differences before officially forming the new government.
With tension building within the coalition, the coming days could see a major reshuffling in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
