MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra state minister, Deepak Kesarkar, has expressed that the majority of Shiv Sena MLAs support Eknath Shinde continuing as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This statement comes after the Mahayuti alliance, which comprises Shiv Sena, the BJP, and NCP, secured a sweeping victory in the recent state elections. Kesarkar noted that the alliance’s success was largely due to Shinde’s leadership, underscoring that his stewardship had contributed significantly to their electoral triumph.
Kesarkar emphasized that while the MLAs are inclined towards Shinde remaining in the top post, the final decision will be made collectively by the key leaders of the alliance. Alongside Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP and Ajit Pawar of the NCP will discuss and reach a consensus regarding the Chief Minister’s position.
The ongoing discussions among the alliance leaders come in the wake of the BJP’s substantial win, having secured 132 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Shiv Sena, led by Shinde, won 57 seats. As the political landscape shifts post-election, the matter of who will lead the state government is being closely watched.
Despite speculation over the CM post, both Fadnavis and state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule have assured that the issue will be settled through mutual discussions among the leaders of the Mahayuti alliance, ensuring that the outcome will be in the best interest of Maharashtra.
