Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Released from Hospital, Set to Meet Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar

Thane, Dec 3 (NationPress) Caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has been released from the hospital after undergoing a medical assessment by a team of doctors on Tuesday.

He then proceeded to his official residence, Varsha. According to Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat, Shinde plans to meet with Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar later tonight to deliberate on various matters concerning the government formation, including the distribution of cabinet positions and ministerial roles.

Earlier in the day, the caretaker CM was admitted to Jupiter Hospital due to symptoms of fever and weakness, which had previously hindered discussions on government formation.

With Shinde now back at home, it is anticipated that discussions regarding the formation of the government will resume.

As per sources within the Shiv Sena, tests for dengue and malaria returned negative results; however, he experienced a drop in white blood cells and felt weak due to the fever.

With Shinde’s health on the mend, the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for Thursday appears likely to proceed as planned.

Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether CM Shinde will take on the role of deputy chief minister, as he has yet to reveal his intentions.

A number of Shiv Sena leaders, including Mahendra Thorve and Bharat Gogawale, visited to check on CM Shinde, but due to his illness, they only met his son and party MP Shrikant Shinde for health updates.

"Shinde's condition is concerning. He has a throat infection and fever. I have been by his side since our trip to Delhi last week. The doctors have advised him to take complete rest. Since he became Chief Minister, he has worked tirelessly for two and a half years. After enduring such stress, it is understandable that his health has declined," stated Shiv Sena Minister Shambhuraj Desai.

Shiv Sena legislator and spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat remarked that only the doctors could determine if he would attend the swearing-in ceremony. “Eknath Shinde is not craving power, as it does not hold significant importance to him,” he added.

Shinde had been experiencing fever when he traveled to his native village Dare in Satara district last Friday. This led to speculation regarding the cancellation of a meeting among Mahayuti leaders concerning government formation. After returning from Dare, Shinde took a rest on Sunday and canceled all appointments. Fadnavis had reached out to inquire about Shinde's health, and on Monday, BJP Minister Girish visited him.

Shinde has asserted that he will not obstruct or delay the government formation and will comply with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisions. He claims to have served as the common man's chief minister, with the citizens of the state wanting him to continue in this role following the Mahayuti coalition's decisive victory in the recent Assembly elections.

Shinde has been pushing for the allocation of the home department to the Shiv Sena, despite the BJP's reluctance to relinquish control. Additionally, Shinde expressed frustration over state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule's unilateral announcement concerning the swearing-in ceremony planned for December 5. Insiders from the Shiv Sena criticized Bawankule’s move, noting that the BJP has yet to select its legislative party group leader, particularly since the Shiv Sena and NCP have already completed their internal processes.

Meanwhile, Mahayuti leaders, including BJP's Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Praveen Darekar, Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Shirsat, and NCP Ministers Hasan Mushrif and Dhananjay Munde, visited Azad Maidan earlier today to oversee preparations for the upcoming swearing-in ceremony set for December 5.