'Ladla Bhai designation ...': What Eknath Shinde said ahead of key Mahayuti meet with Amit Shah

Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said that for him the 'ladla bhai' designation holds more importance than anything else. He also reiterated that there are no obstacles regarding the Maharashtra CM post.

"I cleared my role in the press conference yesterday that there are no obstacles regarding Chief Minister of Mahayuti. This 'ladla bhai' has arrived in Delhi ... the 'ladla bhai' is a designation higher than anything else for me. A meeting will be held on everything," the Sena leader said as he arrived in Delhi to attend the key Mahayuti meeting at Union home minister Amit Shah's residence.

On Wednesday, Shinde said that he will accept any decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the CM face for the state. "I have told the Prime Minister that if my presence creates any obstacle in forming the government in Maharashtra, there should be no hesitation in making a decision. Whatever decision you take will be acceptable to me," he said during a press conference in Mumbai.

Shinde had also thanked PM Modi and HM Shah for supporting him during his two-and-a-half year tenure as chief minister. Referring to reports that he was unhappy over being asked to step down despite Mahayuti's massive poll win, the caretaker CM said, "I am not disappointed. We fight and don't cry.  worked as the CM not to become popular but for the welfare of people of Maharashtra".

Tipped as a frontrunner for the CM post, senior BJP leader and outgoing deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also stressed that the Mahayuti coalition of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP remains united in forming the government.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance scripted a powerful comeback in the Maharashtra assembly elections by winning 230 seats in the 288-member House. The saffron party won 132 seats, followed by the Shinde-led Shiv Sena (57) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP (41).