The wait is getting longer for the formation of a new government in Maharashtra as the meeting among the MahaYuti allies, which was scheduled for Friday, has been cancelled as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has left for his native village Dare in Satara district.
The meeting was scheduled to discuss details with regard to the government formation, especially on the allocation of cabinet berths, distribution of portfolios and appointment of district guardian ministers. The meeting was scheduled after the two-and-half-hour-long meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday night in New Delhi where Fadnavis' name was reportedly finalised as the Maharashtra Chief Minister.
Shinde after the MahaYuti's meeting with the Home Minister had said that the three partners would meet on Friday to finalise the government formation and sort out related issues.
"The MahaYuti's meeting will be held in Mumbai on Friday and the allies will arrive at a final decision on government formation. Our meeting in Delhi was positive. We had a discussion with Amit Shah and JP Nadda.". I have announced my stand. As Shiv Sena, I have supported the name of the Chief Minister of the Grand Alliance. The deadlock is over. Everything is fine. I am a caretaker Chief Minister, I am taking care of everyone," said Shinde.
Although Shinde on Wednesday said he would abide by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision on the chief minister’s post. Shinde is reluctant to join as the deputy chief minister in the new government but pressure is mounting from leaders and cadres that he should become part of the government and continue to head the Shiv Sena.
Shinde's bargaining power seems to have come down following NCP president and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar last Sunday declaring that his party would support the Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis for chief minister's post. But he did not stop there, and it was added that he would also continue holding strategically important departments of planning and finance.
Shinde camp is insisting on the home and urban development departments. However, BJP has already rejected its proposal as the home department will remain within its quota.
Despite BJP's refusal, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat on Friday said that the home department should be given to Eknath Shinde who is quite capable of maintaining the law and order situation in the state.
Shiv Sena is particularly focused on urban development, education, cultural affairs, water supply, health, transport, and state excise departments.
NCP has pitched for allotting the departments of planning and finance, cooperation, women and child welfare, food and civil supply, minority affairs, medical education, and tribal development.
BJP sources said that key departments such as home, revenue, energy, housing, rural development, water resources, forest, OBC welfare, tourism and general administration will be with the party.
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