Shiv Sena has Eknath Shinde’s back, wants him in CM chair for another term

On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the ruling alliance will contest elections under CM Shinde’s leadership. “I am not authorised to make a decision on the chief ministerial candidate. The BJP’s parliamentary board in consultation with other parties will decide on the candidate and whether it will be announced before or after the polls,” Fadnavis said.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar, however, has indicated that the ruling alliance will not announce the CM candidate before elections.

Amid ongoing credit disputes between NCP and Sena over the Ladki Bahin Yojana, the controversial statements made by Sena leaders against NCP are fuelling the ongoing hostility between them.

Sena Minister Gulabrao Patil has criticised NCP leader and deputy CM Ajit Pawar, dismissing the finance department under his control as ineffective. “The finance department is worthless. Files sent for approval were frequently rejected and returned. We had to follow up repeatedly to get approvals and complete the work,” Patil stated.

Earlier, Sena minister Tanaji Sawant had expressed his disdain for NCP, saying he felt nauseated after sitting with NCP leaders in cabinet meetings. “I have never gotten along with NCP. Sitting next to them in the cabinet makes me feel sick, as I am a hardcore Shiv Sainik,” Sawant had remarked at a public event in Solapur.