Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Sunday reassured the public that the decision regarding Maharashtra’s next Chief Minister will be made tomorrow, December 2. He also reaffirmed his “unconditional support” to the BJP’s top leadership.
Speaking from his native village in Satara, where he had gone to rest after a busy election schedule, Shinde clarified that he was doing better now. He addressed speculations that he might have been upset over the CM selection, calling them baseless. A Shiv Sena leader also dismissed these rumors, emphasizing that Shinde is fully backing the BJP.
Shinde, who had traveled to Satara on Friday following a high-level meeting with BJP leaders in Delhi, was reported to have been feeling unwell over the weekend. On Saturday, he developed a fever and throat infection, with a medical team attending to him. His family doctor, RM Parte, stated that Shinde was on IV medication and would recover within two days. Despite his illness, Shinde reassured that he was in good spirits.”
I am doing well now,” Shinde told reporters in Satara. “I came here to rest after the hectic election schedule. I didn’t take any leave during my 2.5 years as CM. I still have people coming to meet me, which contributed to my illness. But now, I am feeling better.”
Shinde continued, stating that his government’s achievements in Maharashtra over the last 2.5 years would be remembered as historic. He emphasized that the people of Maharashtra had given his coalition a “historic mandate,” making it clear that the opposition would not have a chance to elect a leader of opposition.
He also reiterated the strong understanding among the three allies of the Mahayuti and expressed confidence in the BJP’s leadership, affirming that he would fully support their decision regarding the Chief Ministerial candidate.
Meanwhile, BJP state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed that the oath-taking ceremony for the new government would take place at Azad Maidan on December 5, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.
In a related development, NCP chief Ajit Pawar announced that the Chief Ministerial post would be allocated to the BJP, while the two Deputy Chief Minister positions would go to Shiv Sena and his party.
