Mumbai Brainstorming is underway on the name of the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Meanwhile, there are reports that Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde has demanded the state Home Ministry. However, nothing has been officially said so far by the Shiv Sena or Mahayuti. There are chances that the name of the Chief Minister of the state will be approved today. Mahayuti had won 230 of 288 seats in the state. In the CNN News18 report, citing sources, Shinde is said to have made demands on the Home Ministry in case he is not made Chief Minister. There are reports that the demand was filed at the meeting held last night between Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena leaders. Currently, the names of Shinde and Fadnavis are considered to be at the forefront of the race. The BJP is said to be printing Fadnavis’ name.
Ramdas Athawale, leader of the BJP ally RPI(A), suggested that Shinde should be brought to the Center as a Union minister. Endorsing Fadnavis for the Chief Minister’s post, Athawale said Shinde can become Deputy Chief Minister or go to the Center and join the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
There are also reports that talks are underway to make Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant Mahayuti’s deputy chief minister. Officially nothing has been said about it either. Shrikant is an MP from Kalyan seat. After the split in the Shiv Sena and the fall of the Mahavikas Aghadi government in June-July 2022, Shinde formed the government with the BJP and became CM.