Tue Nov 26 08:34:19 UTC 2024: **Maharashtra CM Race Heats Up After Maha Vikas Aghadi’s Landslide Victory**
MUMBAI: Following a decisive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the race for the Chief Minister’s post is intensifying. The BJP secured a resounding 132 seats, fueling support for Devendra Fadnavis as the next CM. However, leaders from the Shinde Sena, echoing Uddhav Thackeray’s previous stance, are insisting on Eknath Shinde’s continuation as CM, citing pre-election agreements.
Adding to the intrigue, Shinde Sena MPs and former MPs have reportedly requested a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ostensibly to lobby for Shinde’s reappointment. Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde submitted his resignation as Chief Minister earlier today, but has been asked to serve as acting CM until a successor is sworn in. He appeared at Raj Bhavan with Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. The Maharashtra Assembly’s term ends on November 26th.
Reports suggest that the BJP leadership has decided on Devendra Fadnavis as its choice for Chief Minister, with an announcement expected as early as this evening. However, Deepak Kesarkar, in the presence of Shiv Sena MLAs in Mumbai, downplayed any internal conflict, emphasizing the unity among the three parties and stating that the party would abide by the decision of PM Modi and Amit Shah.
First Piper 