Twist in Maharashtra story as Eknath Shinde decamps, Mahayuti meet called off

The formation of the new Maharashtra government remains shrouded in uncertainty as a crucial meeting of the Mahayuti alliance, scheduled for Friday, was cancelled after caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde arrived at his village in Satara district, delaying discussions on portfolio distribution.
Shinde, along with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, returned to Mumbai on Friday morning after huddling with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi. Their talks focused on hashing out a power-sharing pact following the BJP-led coalition’s sweeping victory in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections.
After describing the Delhi meeting as “good and positive”, Shinde’s sudden departure brought the talks to a halt, further drawing out suspense over who will helm the incoming government and ministerial berth allocations.
Sources told India Today that the Shiv Sena leader is expected to return to Mumbai on Saturday.
Dismissing speculation that Shinde was “upset”, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant said the former Chief Minister was treated respectfully by Amit Shah.
“A meeting was held with Amit Shah, which Ajit (Pawar) and Devendra (Fadnavis) attended. Eknath Shinde has put up his demands respectfully which Amit Shah will take up with PM Modi,” Uday Samant told ANI.
The BJP, which won 132 assembly seats, has yet to convene its legislature party meeting to finalise its chief ministerial candidate, but the top post is widely expected to go to Devendra Fadnavis. Mahayuti allies Shiv Sena, with 57 seats, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, with 41, are reportedly focusing on securing plum cabinet berths instead, as their chances of claiming the chief minister’s post appear slim.
Sources also suggested that the new government may adopt a power-sharing arrangement featuring two deputy chief ministers to represent Mahayuti’s three major constituents. As for cabinet berths, the BJP is looking to accommodate around 20 ministers, with the Sena expected to receive a larger share than the NCP, sources added.
According to sources, during the Delhi meeting, BJP brass conveyed to Shinde that Fadnavis would become the Maharashtra Chief Minister. Shinde initially was not ready for the Deputy Chief Minister’s post but later softened his stance and demanded that he should be given the home portfolio, sources said.
Shiv Sena leaders are advocating for Shinde to continue as chief minister, citing the success of initiatives like the Ladki Bahin scheme. The outgoing Maharashtra chief minister, however, appeared to demur, stating that he would abide by the decisions made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
“I told PM Modi not to worry about any obstacles in government formation because of me. Whatever decision you make is final for BJP, and it is final for us,” Shinde said ahead of the meeting in Delhi.
Amid intense speculation over the Shiv Sena chief’s next course of action, party spokesperson and MLA Sanjay Shirsat indicated that Shinde is unlikely to play second fiddle to Fadnavis if offered the post of his deputy.
“He is unlikely to be a deputy chief minister. It does not befit a person who has already served as chief minister,” Shirsat said.
Shinde’s son, Shrikant Shinde, asserted that his father was committed to the Mahayuti alliance. “He is exemplifying the ‘alliance dharma’ by prioritising collective governance over personal ambition,” the Kalyan MP said.