“Baseless and baseless...”: Eknath Shinde’s Son Dismisses Deputy CM Rumors as Maharashtra Awaits Formation of New Government

Shrikant Shinde, son of caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Monday cleared the air over ongoing rumours regarding his potential appointment as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He stated that he has "no desire for a position in power" and that all the news about his post as Deputy Chief Minister is “baseless and baseless.”

“The swearing-in ceremony of the grand coalition government has been a bit delayed, and currently there is a lot of discussion and rumours. Caretaker Chief Minister Hon. Shri Eknath Shinde went to the village for two days and rested due to ill health. So the rumors flourished. The news that I will be the Deputy Chief Minister is being given with question marks for the last two days. As a matter of fact there is no truth in it and all the news about my post as Deputy Chief Minister is baseless and baseless,” posted Shrikant Shinde responding to rumors surrounding the delay in the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.

Shrikant further clarified that similar rumors had surfaced after the Lok Sabha elections when he had reportedly been offered a ministerial position in the central government. However, he chose to prioritize his work for the party organization over accepting the post. “Even after the Lok Sabha elections, I had a chance to become a minister in the central government. But thinking of working for the party organization, I refused the ministerial post even then. I have no desire for a position in power. I make it clear once again that I am not in the race for any ministerial position in the state. I will work only for my Lok Sabha constituency and Shiv Sena,” he added.

Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde, who had gone to his village in Satara district last week due to health issues, also addressed the situation. He confirmed that whatever decision the BJP leadership made regarding the CM's position would be accepted by him and the Shiv Sena, with his full support.

The delay in forming the new government in Maharashtra has fueled widespread speculation. Despite the Mahayuti alliance securing a decisive victory in the state elections, the swearing-in ceremony is still pending more than a week later. The Mahayuti alliance won a combined total of 230 seats out of the 288 in the Maharashtra Assembly, with the BJP securing 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 57 and the NCP with 41.

On Sunday, a BJP leader suggested that Devendra Fadnavis had been finalized for the Chief Minister position, a claim that has sparked significant debate, particularly with Eknath Shinde also being considered for the role. According to reports, the swearing-in ceremony has been scheduled for December 5, Thursday. However, the crucial decision on who will assume the role of Chief Minister remains unresolved.​