In Maharashtra, a consensus has been reached on the name of the Chief Minister and a Deputy Chief Minister, but suspense still remains on a Deputy CM. It is being said that Eknath Shinde does not want to become Deputy CM. Shinde wants to give the post of Deputy CM to someone else in his place.
Sanjay Shirsat of Shiv Sena faction says that only Eknath Shinde will make the final announcement as to who will become the Deputy CM from Shiv Sena quota. Shinde can announce this by Friday evening. However, right now he has gone to his village Satara.
Name of CM and one Deputy CM almost decided
There is talk of Devendra Fadnavis becoming the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from BJP quota. A decision regarding this has also been taken in the Mahayuti. Its official announcement will be made after the legislative party meeting. Devendra Fadnavis was the CM of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019.
It is certain that Ajit Pawar will become Deputy CM from NCP quota. Ajit has been Deputy CM before also. Ajit also has the record of serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the longest period. Ajit has been the Deputy CM of Maharashtra for about 8 years.
Why doesn’t Shinde want to become Deputy CM?
It is not a new thing in Maharashtra politics for a former Chief Minister to become a minister or Deputy Chief Minister. Even before, leaders like Ashok Chavan and Devendra Fadnavis have done this. In such a situation, the question is arising that why does former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde not want to become Deputy CM?
When Eknath Shinde withdrew his candidature from the post of Chief Minister, he had mentioned the work he had done. Shinde had said that I brought Maharashtra from third place to number one.
He also mentioned the Ladki Bahin Yojana. This scheme was popular in Maharashtra elections. In such a situation, it is being said that Shinde does not want to take away the credit for his work by becoming Deputy.
If Shinde becomes Deputy CM, he will be evaluated afresh, which can be both positive and negative.
Shinde’s Shiv Sena is also demanding the Home Department. Shinde faction says that when Devendra Fadnavis was the deputy, he had the home department. In such a situation, it is also being seen as pressure politics.
Big question- If not Shinde, who will be the deputy?
If not Shinde, then who is the question? According to Sanjay Shirsat of Shiv Sena (Shinde), only Eknath Shinde will decide who will get the command of deputy in the government. The first name in discussion is that of his son Shrikant Shinde.
Srikant is currently a Lok Sabha MP and it is being said that if Eknath Shinde himself does not become the Deputy CM, he can establish his son in politics by making him the Deputy.
Another reason behind the talk of establishing Srikant in politics is the rise of Aditya Thackeray. Aditya Thackeray has been appointed the leader of the legislature party in Shiv Sena (UBT).
The name of Jalgaon Rural MLA Gulabrao Patil is also in discussion. A poster of the probable Deputy CM has also been put up in Patil’s area. At the same time, the names of Uday Samant and Dada Bhuse are also being discussed in the political circles.
During the rebellion in Shiv Sena, Deepak Kesarkar and Bharat Gogwale played a big role on behalf of Eknath Shinde. If Shinde himself does not become the deputy, he can express confidence in either of these two.