Tue Nov 26 09:42:43 UTC 2024: **Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Resigns, CM Race Heats Up**
Mumbai, India – Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde resigned from his post on Tuesday, setting off a flurry of speculation over his successor. Shinde submitted his resignation to Governor C P Radhakrishnan, who asked him to serve as caretaker chief minister until a new leader is appointed.
The resignation comes days after the ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena and the BJP, won a landslide victory in the state assembly elections. While the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, the Shiv Sena, despite winning only 57, is vying for the chief minister’s position, citing the precedent of Bihar where Nitish Kumar leads the government despite the BJP’s larger presence.
The race for the top job is reportedly between Shinde and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. Shinde’s supporters, including several Shiv Sena MLAs and MPs, have publicly urged him to remain chief minister, highlighting the Mahayuti alliance’s electoral success under his leadership and the upcoming local body elections. However, Shinde himself has appealed to supporters not to gather outside his residence in Mumbai.
Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar stated that a unanimous decision will be reached by Shinde, Fadnavis, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar (NCP). The situation remains fluid, with the political maneuvering expected to continue as the state determines its next chief minister.
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