Eknath Shinde, the caretaker Chief Minister of Maharashtra, addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding the potential appointment of his son, Shrikant Shinde, as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Shinde made it clear that while discussions on this matter were ongoing, no final decisions had been reached yet. He acknowledged that there were various opinions circulating, particularly in the media, but assured that critical discussions were still taking place within the political leadership. The Chief Minister revealed that he had recently met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the matter, and that another meeting was scheduled in Mumbai with prominent leaders like NCP's Ajit Pawar and BJP's Devendra Fadnavis. According to Shinde, these meetings were part of an ongoing deliberation process, and the final decisions regarding the positions in the government would be made after further discussions.
Addressing the speculations surrounding his son’s political future, Shinde dismissed any claims of "pressure politics" and downplayed the importance of individual posts in the government. For him, the main focus was always the commitment to the people who had voted for them. He emphasized that the people had not voted for specific individuals to hold specific positions but for the broader agenda of governance and the fulfillment of promises made during the election campaign. "The posts are secondary to the promise we made to the people. It’s our duty to fulfill those promises, regardless of which individual holds which position," Shinde remarked, signaling that the priority was to serve the public rather than getting embroiled in post allocations.
Shinde also took the opportunity to highlight the developmental work his government had undertaken over the last two and a half years. One of the major welfare schemes introduced during his tenure was the Ladki Bahin Yojna, which aimed to benefit young girls in Maharashtra. He claimed that these schemes had made a significant impact on the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly in rural areas. "We have introduced welfare schemes that have never been implemented before in Maharashtra, and these will be remembered as a historic chapter in the state’s development," Shinde said. He argued that these programs were designed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable sections of society, providing them with financial aid and opportunities that could improve their standard of living.
Shinde took a personal approach while discussing his political journey, pointing out his humble background. "I come from a simple, humble background, and I understand the struggles of the common people," he said, stressing that his roots shaped his vision of governance. His government had worked to create an ecosystem where every family member could benefit from welfare schemes, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. According to Shinde, the focus was always on serving the people, with policies being geared toward providing holistic development opportunities for all.
When asked about the leadership question, Shinde reiterated his earlier stance that the final decision on the Chief Minister's post would be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. "I have said this before, and I will repeat it now: the Shiv Sena supports whatever decision is taken by the central leadership," Shinde said. His statement further reinforced his alignment with the party’s central leadership, indicating that he was not pursuing personal ambitions but working in the interest of the state and its people.
In a more contentious response, Shinde addressed allegations made by opposition leaders, particularly NCP’s Sharad Pawar, regarding the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections. Pawar had suggested there were discrepancies in the EVM results, although he admitted to lacking concrete evidence to back his claim. Shinde responded firmly, stating that such allegations were common in Indian politics, especially from opposition parties who were unable to accept their defeat. "The opposition tends to make such allegations when they lose elections. We are confident in the integrity of the process," Shinde remarked, dismissing the concerns over EVMs as baseless and politically motivated.
Shinde also addressed questions regarding his health, confirming that he had been recovering well. "My health is fine now. The election campaign was quite hectic, and I needed some rest. I’ve come to my village to recharge and focus on my recovery," he shared, reassuring his supporters that he was fit and ready to continue his duties.
Finally, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule had made a significant announcement regarding the next phase of governance, confirming that the oath-taking ceremony for the new government would be held on December 5 in Mumbai. This event will mark the formal beginning of the new government’s term, and Shinde’s remarks indicated that preparations were well underway. The oath-taking ceremony will likely be an important political milestone, signaling the consolidation of power within the newly formed alliance and the start of what is expected to be a new chapter in Maharashtra’s governance.
