Shinde ‘leaves it to Modi’ to pick Maharashtra CM, won’t be a ‘roadblock’ in govt formation

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday (November 27) held his first press conference, in Thane, after the victory of the Mahayuti coalition in the recent Assembly elections.

Amid simmering tension in the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP (Ajit Pawar) coalition over the CM's post, Shinde said: "I leave it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a decision. His decision will be final."

"I spoke to him yesterday, saying I will not be a roadblock to the new government formation process," he added.

While the BJP wants Devendra Fadnavis to take over as Chief Minister, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is keen that he retain the seat.

Further, he said that he did not want to be a "roadblock" in the formation of the new government and added that Mahayuti will decide on the face of Maharashtra's next CM tomorrow.

Watch | Shinde-Fadnavis: Despite big win, simmering discontent in Mahayuti camp

Will not be roadblock

Expressing his gratitude for the BJP-led Central government, Shinde said, "I will not be a roadblock for the next government's formation in Maharastra." He thanked the Centre for giving the state funds and for standing behind them like a rock.

"People are talking about the majority and where the issue is getting stuck,. I have myself today called PM Modi that whatever you feel obstacle due to me never think like that, you have brought us projects for Maharashtra."

"You (PM) can take whatever decision as the NDA head and the decision would be final for BJP as well as for us. Eknath Shinde will not pose any obstacle during govt formation. I told this to Amit Shah yesterday and also PM," said Shinde.

Also read: Who will be Maharashtra CM? Tussle on, but Fadnavis leads the race

Thanks voters

Thanking voters for giving a landslide victory to the Mahayuti alliance, he said, "I thank the people and voters of Maharashtra once again for this landslide victory in assembly polls," Shinde said.

"I thank our 'ladli bahinas', ladle brothers, ladle farmers... The opportunity to work for two and half years as CM, the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray to make a Shiv Sainik the CM... that dream was fulfilled by PM Modi and Amit Shah. "They stood behind me like a rock, I am proud of that," he added.

"I have come from a poor family. So I understand the pain of the poor. I work like a common man, not a chief minister," he said. Coming from a middle class family, he said, he knew about their issues and problems and so he implemented schemes like Ladki Bahin scheme. "For youth, for every family member we tried to give something," pointed out Shinde.

"During my tenure, we worked to take Maharashtra to Number 1 spot from Number 3 in six months of my becoming CM," he added. "I worked as CM not to become popular but for welfare of people of Maharashtra."

Also read: No 'formula' being discussed for CM's post, Mahayuti partners will decide: Ajit Pawar

Hard work, welfare schemes

Shinde credited their victory in the elections to the work they have done in the last two and half years. According to the Shiv Sena leader, the projects stalled by the MVA was again started, welfare schemes as well as new development projects they pursued benefitted the people.

Moreover, he campaigned extensively and slept for 2 to three hours, held 90 to 10 election meetings and went all out like a "common party functionary".

(This is a developing story.)