Eknath Shinde would not join Central Government: Sanjay Shirsat

Mumbai: The Maha Yuti leaders are preparing to form the government in the State after its huge success in the State Assembly elections.

However, a government is still not in place even after a week following the poll results. The Maha Yuti has been conducting meetings to decide power share among themselves. But it is still not clear who the next Chief Minister is. There is a tug of war between the BJP and the Shiv Sena (BT) over the State Home Ministry. The former is not ready to leave the portfolio.

It is said that Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde would be offered a berth at the Centre. Now, his close aide MLA Sanjay Shirsat cleared his party’s stand. He commented on many issues including Shinde’s entry in national politics, new faces in the State Cabinet, whether Shinde really wants to accept any position, etc.

Shirsat made it clear that Shinde would not join the Central Government.

Sanjay Shirsat’s statements

Sanjay Shirsat said, “It is unfortunate that Uddhav Thackeray has still not realised what happened to the party after abandoning ‘Hindutva’. Eknath Shinde returned from Daregaon yesterday. He is unable to speak due to ill health. But he is likely to arrive at his official residence ‘Varsha’ by the evening today.

“Later, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar may hold a meeting. There should be no delay, the process of taking quick decisions has started. Therefore, the meeting will take place. The BJP top leadership will also meet. It is learnt that Amit Shah will discuss issues with the three Maha Yuti leaders.

“BJP observers will arrive in Mumbai. Their group leader will be chosen. All leaders are busy clearing the way for the new government.”

New faces in the State Cabinet

It is said that new faces could be seen in the new cabinet ministry. Some old faces will be dropped. When asked to comment on this, Shirsat said, “The leaders of the respective parties will decide who should be inducted in the cabinet and who should be dropped. Therefore, who should be made ministers will be decided by the Shiv Sena (BT), the BJP and the NCP (AP) leaders.”

What is going on Shinde’s mind?

When asked if Eknath Shinde does not want any post, Shirsat said, “It is clear that Eknath Shinde would not go to Delhi. We have not advised him to accept a position in the State Cabinet. He will decide it. We have empowered him to do that being the head of the party. We will accept his decision. It is solely Eknath Shinde’s right to decide the future course.”

What do MLAs think about Eknath Shinde?

Commenting on party MLA’s opinion about Eknath Shinde accepting a position, Sanjay Shirsat said, “We all wish that Eknath Shinde should lead us. Therefore, we can surely say that Eknath Shinde should not go to Delhi. Going by his popularity and influence in the State and to boost his popularity further, he should stay in the State.”