Pikachu
Pikachu
Pikachu
Delhi, holding meetings with the BJP high command. Late night, BJP leader Vinod
Tawde met with Amit Shah for nearly 40 minutes and discussed government formation
in Maharashtra.
The discussion took place over how the Maratha votes can be retained if Fadnavis is
appointed as the Chief Minister, sources said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Shinde, who resigned as the Chief Minister on Tuesday, but is
continuing as caretaker Chief Minister, said he left the decision to decide the
next Maharashtra Chief Minister to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP
leadership.
"I have told PM Modi that I would not be an obstacle. We will go with whatever he
decides," Shinde said at a press conference in Thane.
He also said he spoke to PM Modi and assured him full support in forming the
Maharashtra government.
Following Shinde's indication to accept the BJP high command's decision about the
Maharashtra government, sources told India Today TV that the chances of Fadnavis
becoming the new Chief Minister were almost clear. Sources also told PTI that the
formulae of two deputy chief ministers representing the three major Mahayuti
constituents will be followed in the new government in the state.
Shinde's press conference followed vociferous demands by his Shiv Sena party
leaders that he continue as the Chief Minister as the ruling Mahayuti alliance
scored a landslide victory under his leadership.
Shinde also rubbished reports that he was disappointed for not getting a second
term as Chief Minister despite the Mahayuti winning a thumping victory under his
leadership. "Nobody is annoyed. We have worked as Mahayuti," he said.
"There is a meeting in Delhi tomorrow (on Thursday) with Amit bhai (Shah) and all
related decisions will be taken there," Shinde said, adding the modalities of
forming the new government will be finalised in the meeting at Delhi.
Union minister and RPI (A) leader Ramdas Athawale, an ally of the BJP, voiced
support for Fadnavis as the next chief minister, but stressed that he would abide
by the BJP "high command's" decision on the matter.