Maharashtra: Eknath Shinde to Assume Office as Deputy Chief Minister, Shiv Sena Submits Recommendation to Governor
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Mumbai, Dec 5 (NationPress) The uncertainty in Maharashtra concluded on Thursday as caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has opted to join the Cabinet led by Devendra Fadnavis as the new Deputy Chief Minister during a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 5.30 pm at Azad Maidan, in the company of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The leader of Shiv Sena, along with senior legislators Uday Samant, Sanjay Shirsat, and Bharat Gogawale, rushed to Varsha to earnestly convince Eknath Shinde to accept the Deputy Chief Minister position.
“By heeding the request of Shiv Sena MLAs, Shiv Sainiks, and Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde has agreed to embrace the role of Deputy Chief Minister. We met Fadnavis at his Sagar Bungalow where he provided a letter endorsing Eknath Shinde for the Deputy Chief Minister role. We have submitted this letter to the Governor’s Principal Secretary,” stated Shinde’s close ally and former Industry Minister Uday Samant.
He mentioned that Eknath Shinde would take an oath of office and secrecy in his capacity as the Deputy Chief Minister.
“There were no obstacles in this process. We all wanted Eknath Shinde to be part of the government. We all implored Eknath Shinde to accept this. Initially, he thought that as the head of the organization and party, he could travel across Maharashtra to conduct party activities and allow someone else to take on this role. However, we conveyed that this was not acceptable to us. It was the desire of every Shiv Sainik that he should ascend to the role of Deputy Chief Minister, and we are grateful to Eknath Shinde for honoring our request,” Samant explained.
He affirmed that there were no disagreements regarding the distribution of portfolios and ministerial positions.
“All three leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, will convene to appropriately decide on the allocation of portfolios or ministerial roles,” he clarified.
He acknowledged that Eknath Shinde was initially reluctant to take on the Deputy Chief Minister position, preferring someone from among the Shiv Sena legislators for the role.
Former ministers Deepak Kesarkar and Gulabrao Patil echoed Samant’s sentiments, stating that Eknath Shinde accepted the role of Deputy Chief Minister following their requests.
