Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said he will "fully support" BJP leadership's decision to name the next CM, adding that he won't be a hurdle in the process.
Shinde's announcement makes the decks clear for the BJP to name Devendra Fadnavis as the CM for the third time, a senior BJP leader said.
"I called PM Modi yesterday and also Amit Shah and told them to decide (on who will be the CM post), and assured them that I will abide by whatever decision they take," Shinde told reporters at his residence in Thane.
"Our Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP's decision to name the next Maharashtra CM. There is no speed breaker from our side,"Shinde said.
Shinde rubbished reports that he was disappointed for not getting a second term as CM despite the ruling Mahayuti alliance winning a thumping victory under his leadership.
"Nobody is annoyed. We have worked as Mahayuti," he said.
When asked if he was dismayed about not receiving a second term as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde dismissed the notion, stating, "There is no such thing. You must remember that the BJP supported my tenure as CM."
Shinde added that a meeting in Delhi with Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday would finalise the modalities for forming the next government, including decisions on deputy chief ministers.
"I thank the people and voters of Maharashtra once again for this landslide victory," Shinde said, emphasising his extensive campaign efforts during the election. "I used to sleep for 2-3 hours before starting the campaign the next day."
Referring to his role, Shinde stated, "I am a worker forever; for me, CM is not Chief Minister, but Common Man." He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for their support during his two-and-a-half-year tenure.
Shinde proudly highlighted the achievements during his tenure, saying, "We worked to take Maharashtra to the Number 1 spot from Number 3 within six months of my becoming CM."
Responding to media reports suggesting his dissatisfaction with stepping down despite leading the Mahayuti to a massive election victory, Shinde said, "I am not disappointed. We fight and don't cry." He stressed that his work as chief minister was never about gaining popularity, but for the welfare of the people of Maharashtra.
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance scripted a powerful comeback in state assembly elections by winning 230 seats in the 288-member House.
Recovering from its Lok Sabha elections losses, the BJP bagged 132 constituencies, highest among all constituents of the Mahayuti.
Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP also performed well.
Sena won 57 while NCP won 41 seats.
Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a setback.
The grand old party registered one of its worst performances in the state assembly polls after it won only 16 seats.
Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP) won just 10 seats, whereas Uddhav Thackeray's (UBT) won 20 seats.
The Maharashtra assembly elections were held on November 20, and the results were declared on November 23.
On Tuesday, Eknath Shinde tendered his resignation as CM to Governor C P Radhakrishnan.
The Governor requested Shinde to continue as caretaker chief minister until the new government is formed.
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole accuses BJP of pressuring Eknath Shinde to relinquish CM post claim
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Wednesday alleged that the BJP's central leadership had pressured Eknath Shinde to give up his claim to the chief minister's post.
Addressing a press conference after Shinde stated that he would accept the BJP leadership's decision on the next Maharashtra chief minister, Patole raised concerns over the delay in government formation despite the Mahayuti alliance securing a significant mandate.
Patole claimed, "The BJP's central leadership pressured Shinde to give up his claim to the CM post," and added that it was "condemnable" for Maharashtra to be kept waiting regarding the formation of the next government.
The Congress leader also hinted at the possibility of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis becoming the next chief minister, stating, "It remains to be seen if the next CM will be the one whose name is circulating or someone else." He further noted that it was "BJP's custom to suddenly introduce a new face."
Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat suggested that Shinde might be "confused and bewildered" by the unexpected election result.
(With inputs from PTI)
