Amid ongoing speculation about the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde shared a cryptic message on social media on Tuesday, urging his supporters not to assemble at Varsha Niwas or elsewhere to demand his return to the position. He further emphasized that the ruling Mahayuti alliance would remain united for the prosperity of Maharashtra.

In a post written in Marathi language, Shinde posted on X, “After the great victory of Mahayutti, our government will be formed once again in the state. As a grand alliance, we contested the election together and are still together today. Out of love for me, some congregations have appealed to everyone to gather together and come to Mumbai. I am deeply grateful for your love. But I appeal that no one should come together in my support in such a manner. Once again it is my humble request that Shiv Sena workers should not assemble at Varsha Niwas or anywhere else. The grand alliance has been and will continue to be strong for a strong and prosperous Maharashtra.”

महायुतीच्या प्रचंड विजयानंतर राज्यात पुन्हा एकदा आपले सरकार स्थापन होणार आहे. महायुती म्हणून आपण एकत्रित निवडणूक लढवली आणि आजही एकत्रच आहोत. माझ्यावरील प्रेमापोटी काही मंडळींनी सर्वांना एकत्र जमण्याचे, मुंबईत येण्याचे आवाहन केले आहे. तुमच्या या प्रेमासाठी मी अत्यंत मनापासून ऋणी…

— Eknath Shinde – एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) November 25, 2024

Shinde as caretaker of Chief Minister house

Hours after his cryptic post, Eknath Shinde resigned as Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The Governor has appointed him as the caretaker chief minister until a new one is sworn in. Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, visited Raj Bhavan to meet Governor CP Radhakrishnan as the term of the Maharashtra assembly concludes today.
Prayers for Shinde

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Eknath Shinde’s social media post came just hours after several Shiv Sainiks organized prayer meetings across temples in Thane on Monday, hoping to secure his second term as Chief Minister. Prayers were held at the Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Kashish Park, where many women attributed the Mahayuti’s victory to Shinde’s strong connection with the people, his accessibility, and the success of the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana’. Similar prayers were also conducted in Daulat Nagar, Thane East, according to news agency PTI. Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske was quoted as saying that all Shiv Sainiks believe Shinde deserves a second term as Chief Minister.

BJP & NCP backing Fadnavis

The Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections. However, the government formation process has been delayed amid reports suggesting that the BJP and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are backing Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the chief minister’s position. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena faction is advocating for Eknath Shinde to reclaim the role. Under Fadnavis’s leadership, the BJP won a record 132 seats, while Shinde’s Shiv Sena secured 57 seats.