After three days of resistance to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s government formation plans in the state, a reconciled care-taker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday extended his full support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take all decisions required for the formation of a new government in Maharashtra, thus paving for the anointment of Devendra Fadnavis as the new CM.
In what is being seen as a meek surrender before the Bharatiya Janata Party’s central leadership, Shinde, at a hurriedly called news conference at his Thane residence “Shub-Deep”, that he had made it clear to the BJP’s top leaders that they could choose the Chief Minister and take decisions in all matters relating to the formation of a new government in Maharashtra.
“I have spoken to both Modi ji and Amit bhai over phone. I have told them that there is not going to be any obstacle from my party’s side. They can decide on the choice of Chief Minister, and take decisions necessary for the formation of a new government in Maharashtra... I will back them completely,” Shinde said, seeking to put to rest all the speculation that he had serious reservations about Devendra Fadnavis being appointed as the new Chief Minister of the state.
Denying the speculation in the media that he was upset with the turn of events after the Maharashtra Assembly polls that saw the BJP-led MahaYuti post a landslide victory, Shinde said: “I am not the one to get upset… ‘Amhi radnare nahi, ladnare ahet’ (we are not the ones who cry but we fight) For me CM means a common man…I work for the common people…I will continue to do so till the last drop of my blood”.
While evading a direct reply on whether he would accept the post of deputy Chief Minister under Fadnavis or move to the Centre and accept a berth in the Union Cabinet, Shinde said: “Tomorrow…there is a meeting with Shah where all decisions will be taken”.
Expressing his satisfaction over two and a half years’ tenure as the Chief Minister of the state, Shinde said: “I am satisfied with my tenure as the Chief Minister. For me no post is bigger than being a “Ladki Bahu” (elder brother) to all the Ladki Bahin (favourite sisters) in the state. I did not sit at home .. I went to the homes of people. I worked for the people from the bottom of my heart”.
Acknowledging the feelings of his party activists who wanted to see him return as the Chief Minister, Shinde said: “There is nothing wrong in their feelings. I have worked hard, and they are simply expressing their support”.
Shinde’s surrender came after his party workers came out with a slogan “’Eknath hai toh safe hai’ (If Eknath is there, then we are safe)” even as Shiv Sena workers performed pujas across temples of the state praying for one more term for him.
However, the BJP’s central leadership was in no mood to oblige Shinde. Having delayed his decision to let the BJP leadership have its way, Shinde not just blinked but he surrendered to Modi and Shah, thus giving a free hand to the latter to decide on what they deemed fit in matters relating to the new government formation in the state.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule and senior party leader Sudhir Mungantiwar have welcomed Shinde’s decision to give a free-hand t0 the BJP ‘s central leadership to form a new government in the state.
“Shinde’s stand is to make the NDA stronger and strengthen the MahaYuti…I thank him for the stand he has taken…Shinde played a crucial role in strengthening the MahaYuti alliance as he was instrumental in reviving a slew of projects that were stalled by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government,” Bawankule said.
“I express gratitude to Shinde…today, he has cleared all issues…he has made it clear that all decisions relating to the government including the choice of Chief Minister will be taken by Modi and Shah... Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar will sit with them (Modi and Shah) and discuss various issues relating to the nature of the government, distribution of portfolios and appointment of district guardian ministers,” Bawankule said.
“In the BJP, every one of us wants Fadnavis to become the Chief Minister. Even all those in the MahaYuti want to see Fadnavis as the Chief Minister. On this, the leaders of all three constituents of MahaYuti will sit across and take a formal decision,” he added.
