Maharashtra CM News Live: Sanjay Raut says PM Modi, Shah will decide on CM post

Maharashtra CM News Live: Chief minister Eknath Shinde arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, soon after deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

The two leaders are frontrunners for the post of chief minister in the Maharashtra government.

Maharashtra CM News Live: BJP senior leader Devendra Fadnavis arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai after visiting Delhi, amid questions on whether he or Eknath Shinde will take the CM post.

Maharashtra CM News Live: Shiv Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre told reporters on Tuesday that the Maratha community stood behind Eknath Shinde as the next CM.

"Shinde successfully provided ten per cent reservation to the Maratha community (under the economically and socially backward category) and helped the community through the Annasaheb Patil and Sarathi corporations," she said.

"The demand that the chief minister should be from the Maratha community is gaining strength," she added.

Maharashtra CM News Live: Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske told news agency ANI, "The Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be the leader of the Mahayuti. The government will be formed soon."

Maharashtra CM News Live: Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde said that the process for government formation is underway in the state after the Mahayuti alliance's landslide victory.

“This is the first time an alliance has received such a large number of votes. Further decisions will be made in consultation with the BJP central leadership,” he said.

Maharashtra CM News Live: BJP leader Rahul Narvekar said that the government in Maharashtra would be formed soon.

He said, "Today the term of the assembly is ending. If he (CM Shinde) resigns today, he will be requested to work as a caretaker CM till a new government is formed. The leaders of the three parties, our parliamentary board, will decide on this (CM) matter. And soon the government will be formed in Maharashtra."

Maharashtra government formation Live Updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Tuesday that Amit Shah and Narendra Modi would decide who will be the CM (of Maharashtra).

"Neither Eknath Shinde nor Ajit Pawar can decide about their respective parties. Decisions about both the parties are taken in Delhi. Amit Shah and Modiji decide what Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have to do. These both parties (Shiv Sena and NCP) are slaves of BJP. They are sub-company of BJP. Whatever Modiji and (Amit) Shahji say they will have to abide by it," said Raut.

Maharashtra government formation Live Updates: Shiv Sena members organised prayer meets in temples in Thane to ensure Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde gets a second term on the top post.

Prayers were held in Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Kashish Park locality, with many women claiming the Mahayuti sweep was due to the CM's connect with the masses, his accessibility and the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Puja was also held at Daulat Nagar in Thane East, Shiv Sena functionaries said.

Maharashtra government formation Live Updates: The formation of a new government in Maharashtra, is delayed due to the Shiv Sena’s insistence that Eknath Shinde continue as the chief minister, sources told news agency PTI.

After the November 20 elections results were out on Saturday, there was talk that the new CM may be sworn in as early as Monday but that has not happened, apparently due to the ruling Mahayuti not reaching a consensus on who will be the next CM, the sources said.

Maharashtra government formation Live Updates: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Tuesday asked supporters not to crowd around his official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai to pitch for his continuation as CM. "

He posted on X saying, “Out of love for me, some people 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."

Maharashtra government formation Live Updates: Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Monday raised questions over the results of the assembly polls and said he would discuss the issue with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge along with other alliance leaders of the MVA.

"All of our leaders were in the elections field. Our party workers were also there with all their power. Everyone was hopeful that the election results would be in the favour of Maha Vikas Aghadi. For eg, our candidate for Nanded Lok Sabha bye-election won but all our Vidhan Sabha candidates lost. How can there be so much of a difference?" he asked.

Maharashtra government formation Live Updates: Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, seen as a front runner for the chief minister's post, arrived in the national capital late Monday night for meetings with top party leaders.

Fadnavis is likely to meet home minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda to discuss the formation of the next government in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra government formation Live Updates: The Maharashtra government has reinstated IPS officer Rashmi Shukla as the Director General of Police (DGP) and head of the state police force, according to an order issued by the state home department on Monday evening.

Senior IPS officer Sanjay Kumar Verma had temporarily taken over as the DGP of Maharashtra, a day after Rashmi Shukla was removed from the position due to a directive from the Election Commission ahead of the polls.