As the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) struggles with the selection of its chief ministerial candidate, uncertainty looms within the ruling Mahayuti alliance as well. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified on Friday that while the Mahayuti will contest the upcoming Assembly elections under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, the identity of the future Chief Minister remains undecided.
Speaking at a conclave organized by a regional news channel, Fadnavis emphasized that the decision on the chief ministerial candidate will be made by the parliamentary board of their party and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). ?There is no dispute among the alliance partners regarding the chief ministerial face,? Fadnavis asserted. ?Eknath Shinde will lead the election campaign as the Chief Minister of the state, but the final decision on the post-election Chief Minister will be taken by the BJP parliamentary board.?
Fadnavis further reassured that the Mahayuti partners are united on the issue of leadership for the upcoming election. He stated, ?The assembly election will be contested under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. After the elections, the BJP parliamentary board will make a decision, and it will be acceptable to all of us.?
Addressing questions about any assurances given to Shinde regarding the Chief Minister?s position post-elections, Fadnavis indicated that any discussions on this matter will be revealed in due course. ?If there are any discussions about this, they will come to us after some time and we will decide accordingly,? he said.
Fadnavis also took a swipe at his political rival, Uddhav Thackeray, criticizing the MVA?s internal dynamics. ?If Sharad Pawar had three or four candidates in mind, Uddhav Thackeray was certainly not one of them,? Fadnavis remarked. He also alleged that Thackeray?s attempt to get his name announced as the CM candidate was unsuccessful. Additionally, Fadnavis claimed that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi did not permit him to photograph their meeting.
In response, Aaditya Thackeray, a former minister, took a jibe at Fadnavis. He stated, ?If it were not for Uddhav Thackeray, even Fadnavis?s face might not be before the Mahayuti leaders as the next CM candidate.?
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, when asked about the ongoing speculation, advised focus on duty rather than outcomes. ?I work hard and do not think about the results,? Shinde said. ?I focus on what the state has received rather than what I have achieved. We are working as a team and will continue to do so.?
