Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tendered his resignation to Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday, paving the way for the formation of a new government following the Mahayuti alliance’s decisive victory in the recent assembly elections. The Governor has requested Shinde to serve as caretaker Chief Minister until the swearing-in of his successor.
Shinde was accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar during his visit to the Raj Bhavan. The term of the outgoing Maharashtra assembly ends on November 26.
Deepak Kesarkar, a minister in the Shinde-led cabinet, confirmed the resignation and assured that the new government would be sworn in soon. However, he noted that a consensus on the next Chief Minister has yet to be reached within the Mahayuti alliance, which secured 230 out of 288 seats.
The choice for the CM post is expected to be guided by senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Kesarkar remarked, “Every political worker wishes for the CM to be from their party, but we will abide by the decision of Modi Ji and Amit Shah Ji.” Shinde has also expressed his willingness to accept the leadership’s decision.
With the massive mandate for the BJP-Shiv Sena-Ajit Pawar-led NCP coalition, the focus now shifts to determining the leader who will helm the new government amid heightened speculation and political maneuvering.
