'No Obstruction From Shiv Sena, BJP's Call Acceptable': Eknath Shinde Leaves Maharashtra CM Decision to PM Modi, Shah

Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde today (27 November) claimed that he has left the decision to choose Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

While addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Shinde said, "A meeting of all three parties (of Mahayuti) will be held with Amit Shah tomorrow. Detailed discussions will be held in that meeting. After that, a decision will be made."

Expressing full support to the CM chosen by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shinde dismissed rumours of being miffed from not potentially getting the CM post. He called PM Modi and Shah to assure that Shiv Sena will not create any instructions.

"You make a decision and we will accept the decision. Whatever decision is made by the senior leaders of the BJP regarding the CM post, their candidate will be fully supported by Shiv Sena," Shinde added.

The remarks come at a time when Shiv Sena members of Parliament (MP) met Shah in Parliament today. Shiv Sena MP Prataprao Jadhav said that the meeting was to thank Shah for his election efforts.

"Wherever he held rallies, all Mahayuti candidates won with huge margins. So, Shiv Sena MPs and I, as the Minister of State, met him and thanked him," Jadhav said claiming no discussion regarding the CM face happened.

In the elections held on 20 November, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party by winning 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena which won 57 and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 41 seats.

The ruling coalition Mahayuti contested the elections without declaring a CM face. Even days after the results were declared on 23 November, the alliance is yet to declare its CM face.