Three Shinde faction leaders say Eknath Shinde should become Chief Minister again
MLA Kishor Darade, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and Water Supply Minister Gulabrao Patil have each spoken in favour of Shinde returning as Chief Minister.
Images are not validated/verified
The Shiv Sena is preparing for its Dussehra rally this year as it does every year. The Thackeray faction's rally will be held at Shivaji Park as per tradition, while the Shinde faction's rally will be at the NESCO Centre. Against this backdrop, a new development has emerged from the Shinde faction. Three senior leaders of the faction have made statements about Eknath Shinde becoming Chief Minister.
Shinde faction leaders are saying openly that Eknath Shinde should become Chief Minister again. After MLA Kishor Darade, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and Water Supply Minister Gulabrao Patil also spoke on the same issue. Discussions in political circles have intensified as a result.
Speaking to the media, Sarnaik made a statement on Shinde's claim to the chief minister's post. Sarnaik said Shinde is Deputy Chief Minister for now because of a shortfall in numbers, but efforts will be made in the coming period to raise the numbers and make him Chief Minister. Following his statement, discussion has begun on the Shinde faction's future political strategy.
Darade had also said that everyone wishes Eknath Shinde to become Chief Minister. According to him, making Shinde Chief Minister is in the hands of the MLAs. Patil, on the other hand, said it is the sentiment of every MLA that Shinde should become Chief Minister. With three leaders making such statements on a single day, there is speculation about the political calculation behind the demand.
Sanjay Raut had criticised Eknath Shinde over the murder of Pradip Purnekar. Responding, Sarnaik said he had met the Purnekar family after Shinde's order. Sarnaik claimed Shinde was away at the time, and accused his opponents of playing politics.
Sarnaik also reacted to the issue of Jitendra Awhad repeatedly receiving threats. He said the threats should be investigated and, if necessary, Awhad's security should be increased.
The political atmosphere has heated up over these statements by Shinde faction leaders on the chief minister's post. All eyes are now on what happens next in the Mahayuti after these statements and what political equations take shape.
