Maharashtra’s caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has been admitted to Jupiter Hospital in Thane as his health condition reportedly shows no improvement. According to ANI sources, doctors have recommended a full health examination for Shinde.
Meanwhile, speculation around Maharashtra’s next chief minister intensifies as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prepares for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on December 5. Devendra Fadnavis is widely anticipated to take the top post, with an official announcement expected on December 4.
Key developments in Maharashtra government formation:
- BJP names central observers: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will oversee the BJP’s state legislature party meeting, where MLAs are set to elect their leader.
- Deputy CM roles: Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), key allies in the Mahayuti alliance, are expected to receive deputy CM positions. Shinde has indicated he will not oppose the BJP’s claim to the CM position.
- Electoral performance: The Mahayuti alliance won 230 out of 288 seats in the state assembly elections, with BJP securing 132 seats, Shiv Sena 57, and NCP 41.
- Timeline for announcement: The BJP legislature party meeting on December 4 will finalize the next chief minister, with the formal swearing-in ceremony scheduled for December 5.
Amid these political developments, NCP leader Ajit Pawar flew to Delhi for consultations, while both Fadnavis and Shinde remained in Mumbai to meet with their respective party members.
