Two days after the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which saw the ruling Mahayuti sweeping the polls, there is still no word about who the new chief minister is. However, speculations are rife that deliberations in Delhi have gained pace in favour of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.
However, Shiv Sena leader and chief minister Eknath Shinde is not happy with the decision, which is delaying the announcement. The reports are that the Shiv Sena leader is likely to be demoted to the position of Deputy CM along with NCP leader Ajit Pawar.
Earlier, there were reports that Shinde had staked a claim for the top post, considering that it was his leadership that led the coalition towards the stunning win. He also claimed the trump card, Ladki Bahin Yojana, was his brainchild.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Naresh Mhaske has called for the 'Bihar model' while insisting that Shinde should continue as the chief minister. "We feel Shinde should be the chief minister, just like in Bihar where BJP did not look at the numbers but still made JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar the CM. Senior leaders of the Mahayuti (in Maharashtra) will ultimately take a decision," Mhaske told reporters on Monday.
The Shiv Sena is also rallying supporters in favour of Eknath Shinde. On Monday, a group of women organised an aarti at the Kopri temple in Thane praying for Shinde to be made the Chief Minister again.
As for NCP, Ajit Pawar is said to have already thrown his weight behind Fadnavis. "There is no formula being discussed. We three (allies) will sit together and discuss on CM's post," he told reporters.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis arrived in Delhi on Monday night for meetings with BJP leadership. Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar was also present along with Fadnavis.
He was seen attending the wedding reception of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's daughter Anjali at a hotel here. He will meet Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J P Nadda to discuss the modalities of the formation of the next government in Maharashtra.
The BJP won 132 seats in the recent assembly elections while its allies Shiv Sena and NCP emerged victorious on 57 and 41 seats, respectively.