As Stalemate Over New Maharashtra Govt Continues, Key Details Emerge From Late Night Meeting

The uncertainty surrounding the Chief Minister position in Maharashtra is expected to be resolved soon, following a crucial meeting between the three key leaders of the ruling alliance - Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar - and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

It seems the BJP wants to resolve all pending issues before making a formal announcement, reported NDTV.

Photo Credit: PTI

The meeting, which ended around midnight, is believed to be the final discussion before the Chief Minister is named. Sources say that the decision now only requires a sign-off from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The meeting took place a day after Eknath Shinde stated that he would not "stand in the way" and would accept the decision of the BJP's central leadership regarding the top post, effectively clearing the path for Fadnavis, who is seen as the front-runner.

"I have told PM Modi that I would not be an obstacle. We will go with whatever he decides," Shinde told reporters, adding that he was "not greedy for any position" and that "no one is upset."

Sources earlier indicated that the Chief Minister would be from the BJP, with two deputies.

A key consideration in naming Fadnavis is the caste dynamics, as a large number of the 288 MLAs belong to the Maratha community. Fadnavis, who belongs to the Brahmin community, had faced backlash in 2014 due to this. Sources revealed that Amit Shah had consulted senior party leader Vinod Tawde on this issue.

The Maratha community's agitation for reservations has also led to some friction, with Maratha leader Manoj Jarange-Patil calling Fadnavis a "Maratha-hater."

The BJP is keen to resolve all doubts before making an official announcement.

Another point of discussion is where Shinde would be placed if Fadnavis is named Chief Minister. Possibilities include Shinde becoming the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra or being given a role at the Centre. Sources from the Shiv Sena had earlier suggested that he would be part of the Maharashtra cabinet.

Today's talks will also cover the composition of the cabinet. While Maharashtra can have up to 42 ministers, it is expected that the distribution will be 22 for the BJP, 12 for the Shiv Sena, and 10 for Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, with the BJP also bargaining for key portfolios, including Home.

This arrangement reflects the seat-sharing deal and the election results, where the BJP contested the most seats and won 132, cementing its claim for the top position.