Eknath Shinde Returns To Mumbai For Power-Sharing Talks, Pushes Son Shrikant's Name For Maharashtra DyCM

After a two-day hiatus that sparked speculation about his dissatisfaction, Eknath Shinde has returned to Mumbai, paving the way for the resumption of power-sharing discussions that had been on hold.

The caretaker Chief Minister, reportedly displeased about not being allocated the Home Ministry in the new government, has not dismissed the reports. He remarked that the matter would be decided in a meeting among the senior leaders of the three alliance parties, reported Hindustan Times.

On Friday, Shinde embarked on a two-day visit to his native village of Dare in Satara, cancelling a planned meeting with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and NCP chief Ajit Pawar.

This crucial meeting, intended to finalise the distribution of portfolios, cabinet positions, and guardian ministerships, is now anticipated to take place on Monday.

Shinde, who had been informed by the BJP leadership that the Chief Minister's post would go to their party, had reportedly demanded the Home Ministry as a compromise. His decision to abruptly visit his hometown is widely seen as a reflection of his frustration after the BJP decided to retain this key portfolio, typically held by the Chief Minister.

Upon his return to Mumbai on Sunday by helicopter, Shinde is said to have convened a meeting with his senior colleagues to discuss the party's position on government formation. During a media interaction in Thane later that day, he stated that leaders of the three parties would soon decide on power-sharing arrangements.

When questioned about the Shiv Sena's reported insistence on the Home Ministry and whether he sought the Deputy Chief Minister's post for his son, Shrikant Shinde, Shinde refrained from providing a direct answer.

"We have already had a meeting with Amit Shah and will soon have another meeting of the three Mahayuti leaders," he said.

"After this, an appropriate decision will be taken. We are committed to giving a good government to the people of Maharashtra." The caretaker Chief Minister reiterated that the BJP would decide on the Chief Minister's post and clarified his position: "I have already made my stand clear-I will go with the decision."

Explaining his absence, Shinde claimed he was unwell due to the exertion of campaigning. "I was on medication for two days," he said, adding that he had not taken a single day off during his two and a half years as Chief Minister.

Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar had met Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Thursday night, where Shah reportedly outlined the power-sharing arrangement.

In a subsequent meeting with Shinde, Shah is said to have made it clear that the Home Ministry would remain with the BJP. However, the Shiv Sena has argued that the precedent of Fadnavis retaining the Home Ministry while serving as Deputy Chief Minister under Shinde's leadership should apply in this instance as well.

The BJP and Shiv Sena are reportedly clashing over the Speaker's post as well. The Sena is said to be exerting pressure by demanding this key position, alongside the Home Ministry, in coalition negotiations. The BJP, however, is reportedly unwilling to concede either role.

Sources indicate that if Shinde does not secure the Home Ministry, he will refuse the Deputy Chief Ministership and instead push for his son, Shrikant Shinde, to assume the position.

BJP leader and former Union Minister Raosaheb Danve stated that the leaders of the three parties would decide on the Home Ministry and other portfolios.

"As for the CM's post, the people of Maharashtra know who it is, but it will be announced at the appropriate time," he said. "The formal announcement will be made only after following due process as per our party's style of working."

The BJP is expected to officially elect the Chief Minister in a meeting of its 132 newly elected MLAs on Tuesday or Wednesday.

"The names of the observers who will choose the leader of the legislature party are expected soon after a meeting in Delhi," said a BJP leader.

"Subsequently, the meeting to choose the CM will be held, and all the party MLAs have been asked to remain in Mumbai for four days starting Monday. The claim to form the government will be staked by the leader elected by the legislators."

The new Mahayuti government's oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to take place at Azad Maidan on 5 December.