Maharashtra still a cliffhanger as Mahayuti leaders return after Delhi key meet

Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, and NCP leader Ajit Pawar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence in Delhi on Thursday night. The meeting, which also saw BJP President JP Nadda in attendance, was convened to break the deadlock over who would assume the state's top post following the NDA's landslide victory in the Assembly elections.

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured a historic win on November 23, clinching 230 of the 288 seats in the Assembly.

The BJP emerged as the largest party with a record 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena and NCP secured 57 and 41 seats, respectively. Despite this sweeping mandate, the allies have struggled to finalise a consensus on the next Chief Minister.

CHIEF MINISTER SWEARING-IN ON DECEMBER 2 or 5: Sources

Sources told India Today TV that Thursday's meeting primarily revolved around cabinet berth allocations. The BJP is reportedly looking to accommodate around 20 ministers, with Shinde's Shiv Sena expected to receive a larger share than Ajit Pawar's NCP. Specific portfolios were not discussed during the meeting, but another round of deliberations is scheduled to take place via phone on Friday, sources further said.

Eknath Shinde is expected to remain in Delhi for further discussions, while Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar have returned to Mumbai, with video surfacing showing the leaders reaching the airport following the meeting in Delhi. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place on December 2 or December 5, preceded by a BJP legislative party meeting, sources added. 

Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who stepped down on Tuesday but continues in his role temporarily, has indicated his readiness to accept the BJP's decision regarding the leadership.

"I have told PM Modi that I would not be an obstacle. We will go with whatever he decides," Shinde said at a press conference in Thane on Wednesday. He also assured the Prime Minister of his unwavering support in forming the new government.

Speculation is rife that Devendra Fadnavis is poised to return as Chief Minister, given the BJP's dominant performance in the elections. Meanwhile, sources suggest that the new government may adopt a power-sharing arrangement featuring two deputy chief ministers to represent the alliance's three major constituents.

The Opposition, however, used the delay to mock the Mahayuti alliance, with Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole claiming that the BJP's central leadership pressured Shinde to give up his claim to the chief minister's post.

Patole added it was suspicious that so much time was being taken to form the next government despite the Mahayuti alliance getting a brute majority.