Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 30 : As suspense lingers over the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anant Dubey on Saturday criticised the Mahayuti alliance, stating that while they have secured a clear mandate, they remain undecided on the leadership.
Speaking to ANI, Dubey questioned, "Do they (Mahayuti) want Central rule in Maharashtra?"
"Elections were held on November 20, and the results were announced on November 23. It has been a week since then, yet there is no government in the state. They have a clear mandate but don't know who the CM will be. When will they start addressing the needs of the people? We fail to understand their plan of action. In every other state, they declared the CM face on time, so why is Maharashtra being treated differently?" he said.
Reports on Friday suggested that caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was "upset" and had travelled to his native village amid the delay in forming the government. However, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant dismissed these claims, clarifying that Shinde would return soon and that the next cabinet would be finalised shortly.
"The reports of him being upset are media speculations. We were with Eknath Shinde until early morning. He will return tomorrow. Meetings are not limited to physical gatherings; they can also happen via video conferencing or mobile. As Eknath Shinde has stated, the Maharashtra cabinet will be finalised soon," Uday Samant told ANI.
On Thursday night, Maharashtra's caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, and other Mahayuti leaders met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda in the national capital.
Following the meeting, Shinde described it as "good and positive" and hinted at another meeting where a final decision on the Chief Minister's post is expected.
"The meeting was good and positive. This was the first meeting. We had discussions with Amit Shah and JP Nadda. There will be another Mahayuti meeting in Mumbai, where a decision on the Chief Minister will be taken," Shinde said.
The Maharashtra Assembly election results, declared on November 23, saw the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secure a landslide victory. Despite the clear majority, the ruling alliance is yet to announce its Chief Minister.