Maharashtra Government Formation: Suspense Deepens as Shinde Rushed to Hospital

Mumbai: In a dramatic twist ahead of the much-anticipated swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti Government, Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra’s Caretaker Chief Minister, was rushed to a private hospital in Thane on Tuesday. The sudden development has only added to the growing uncertainty surrounding the formation of the new state government, set to take place on December 5 at Azad Maidan. PM Modi is slated to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Even as preparations for the event move forward, the political landscape remains shrouded in ambiguity. Ten days after the election results were declared on November 23, the key questions of who will take the oath as Chief Minister and what the cabinet will look like have remained unanswered. Behind the scenes, mounting speculation suggests tensions between Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over seat-sharing arrangements, with no clear resolution in sight.

Shinde, along with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar and senior BJP figures like Devendra Fadnavis, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi last Thursday in an attempt to break the deadlock. However, sources indicate that the meeting did little to quell the uncertainty. Afterward, Shinde returned to his village, reiterating his loyalty to the Mahayuti alliance and insisting that the final decision on government formation rests with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I will never become a hurdle in the way of government formation," Shinde said at a press conference on Wednesday, his voice steady despite the growing tension. "I have no greed for chair. The people of Maharashtra have showered their love on us, and nothing matters more than that."

Yet, despite Shinde’s public statements, murmurs from within Shiv Sena suggest a growing dissatisfaction with the role being offered to him, specifically the position of Deputy Chief Minister. Reports indicate that Shinde is far from pleased with the offer, further intensifying speculation about the future direction of the alliance.

The BJP, having emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly with 132 seats, is said to be staking its claim to the Chief Minister’s post, with Devendra Fadnavis positioned as the frontrunner. Ajit Pawar, too, reportedly confirmed the BJP’s preference after the Delhi meeting, fueling the ongoing drama.

In an unexpected turn, Shinde’s hospital visit has further deepened the intrigue. Sources suggest that his sudden check-up could signal underlying health concerns, although it is still unclear whether he will require hospitalization. As the clock ticks down to December 5, the fate of the Maharashtra government remains a closely guarded secret, with every new development only adding to the political suspense.​