Reason behind BJP’s insistence to have Eknath Shinde as Deputy Chief Minister

Mumbai: Political circles in Maharashtra and Delhi are eager to know the new Chief Minister’s name. A Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers would be the formula while the BJP wants Eknath Shinde to play the role of a Deputy Chief Minister.

According to sources, the insistence is to show the unity within the Maha Yuti. A national English news daily reported this quoting the sources. The Maha Yuti leaders held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Thursday (November 28). The meeting was not successful in solving the tangle over the Chief Ministership and power share among the three parties.

The BJP told Devendra Fadnavis to work as the DyCM when Shinde was made the CM. It is said that Fadnavis would be named the next Chief Minister. Thus, the DyCM’s post will be given to the Shiv Sena (BT) and the NCP (AP).

Ajit Pawar would be the DyCM from the NCP (AP). The BJP has been insisting that Eknath Shinde should work as the DyCM from the Shiv Sena (BT). This will send across a message of unity in the Maha Yuti. This is the BJP stand.

Eknath Shinde refuses to accept DyCM’s post

The sources said that Eknath Shinde is not ready to join the government as the Deputy Chief Minister. Another leader from the Shiv Sena (BT) would be named as the DyCM. His son Shrikant Shinde is a probable candidate for the post.

The sources said that the point is not being the DyCM after working as the CM. Maharashtra has such past examples. Many senior leaders worked as the DyCM, including Fadnavis. But giving two Maratha DyCMs will again send a negative message among voters.

Commenting on the issue, Shiv Sena (BT) leader Sanjay Shirsat said, “It is a big deal. Eknath Shinde would not accept the DyCM’s post. That is my guess. He will be a minister and be a part of the State Government.”