Eknath Shinde will continue as CM; it is clear to all 3 leaders of Mahayuti: Devendra Fadnavis

Addressing the media on the Vidhan Bhawan premises, Fadnavis rubbished the speculations from various quarters as “absolutely baseless”. “As a leader of the largest party of Mahayuti, I want to state with full clarity that Eknath Shinde will remain the chief minister of Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said.

Speculations were rife since the Nationalist Congress Party MLAs led by Ajit Pawar joined the BJP in Maharashtra and got stronger when NCP workers celebrated Ajit Pawar’s birthday on July 22 by putting up huge posters boldly claiming he was the next CM. The posters were displayed on the route between Devgiri (Ajit Pawar’s official residence) to Shinde’s official residence Varsha at Malabar Hills.

According to Fadnavis, “It is natural for any party to wish their leader become the chief minister. NCP workers may feel Ajit Pawar should become the CM. Nothing wrong in it… In the same way, our workers may feel some one from BJP should be CM. The Shiv Sena already has its CM in Eknath Shinde… Shinde has been chosen for the coveted post and he will continue as CM.”

In an ardent appeal to workers representing Mahayuti — a coalition of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP — Fadnavis said, “ There is no ambiguity among the leaders. When the alliance was formed, Ajit Pawar was appraised about all the aspects. And he accepted them. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has also made it clear that there was no reason for any change of CM.”

Urging to stop speculations, Fadnavis said, “ To those who are making such statements, I would say stop it and don’t create any confusion among the cadre. The leaders of all three alliance partners know everything and there is no confusion. The party workers also should avoid any confusion.”

Earlier, senior Congress leader and former CM Prithviraj Chavan told media that Shinde will be removed and replaced by Ajit Pawar in the second week of August. “After deciding the disqualification of Shinde and other MLAs, incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would be anointed as the chief minister around August 10,” Chavan told a regional news channel.

Responding to Chavan’s predictions, Fadnavis said, “ Prithviraj Chavan is doing kite flying. These days there are many who are making political predictions. But all these are not based on reality. The opposition is indulging in such act to create confusion among people but it will not work.”

“Whether it is August 9, 10 or 11, there is no change of CM… However, cabinet expansion is possible. The dates will be finalised by CM Shinde,” Fadnavis said.