Maharashtra CM highlights: Fadnavis reaches Shinde's residence to discuss power-sharing formula

As preparations for the Mahayuti government's swearing-in ceremony is taking place in full swing at Azad Maidan, it is expected that other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, around 2,000 VVIPs, and approximately 40,000 supporters will attend the event.

On being asked whether Eknath Shinde will be sworn in as Deputy CM on December 5, Shiv Sena leader Bharat Gogawale told reporters, "Let's see, we will ask him and then inform everyone."

BJP's central observer for Maharashtra, who is in Mumbai for the party's legislature meeting, told reporters, "We will discuss with everyone tomorrow and after that, it will be finalised. We will take everyone's opinion in the legislature party meeting tomorrow."

Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale said that Eknath Shinde did not take a meeting before due to his ill health, clarifying that "he is not upset".

"He had a meeting with the central leadership - Modi ji and Amit Shah, and there might be a meeting tomorrow as well. Decisions will be taken there (by PM Modi & Amit Shah). We are not adamant about any department," Gogawale added.

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske reacted to Congress delegation's meeting with the Election Commission over the Maharashtra elections.

Mhaske told ANI, "When they won the Lok Sabha elections, why did they not object to EVMs? They were calling it a victory for the Congress and now when they have lost the assembly elections, they are blaming EVMs."

"This is double standard. They have not got the support of the people and to save their cadre, the MLAs and MPs who are with them, they are now going to split, they are in touch with us, to save them, to save their cadre, they say such things," he added.

After meeting with the Election Commission, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said, "This government has not come by the votes of the people. It has been formed because of the BJP people sitting in Delhi. They do not care about the people. ...We met the Election Commission today and will see what decision they take."

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has reached caretaker CM Eknath Shinde's official residence Varsha to discuss the new government's power-sharing formula with him.

Congress MP and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, part of the party's delegation, went to meet the Election Commission over the Maharashtra election results.

Singhvi said, "We've had a discussion in a very cordial, constructive, positive atmosphere. I started by telling the Commission that ultimately we are furthering the cause of democracy because an uneven non-level playing field for elections directly affects and undermines the basic structure of the Indian Constitution."

"We said that we are here before you in a constructive spirit, in the interest of transparency and to reduce the trust deficit and ultimately our first step is to get disclosure of large volumes of raw data. Once we have the raw data we will be able to give our own conclusions and further analysis will follow. Three or four main issues we raised," he added.

Singhvi said that the EC will give them a point-by-point explanation or rebuttal in writing in the near future.

A Congress delegation has arrived at the office of the Election Commission of India in Delhi to discuss the discrepancies the party raised in connection with the Maharashtra election results.

ECI invited the Congress delegation after receiving a memorandum on the issue from the grand old party.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday slammed the Mahayuti alliance for the delay in declaring the chief ministerial candidate for Maharashtra, calling it a matter of sadness they are disrespecting the mandate they received.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that no one has yet staked a claim before the Governor to form the government.

Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday claimed that Maharashtra caretaker chief minister was sulking and throwing tantrums at BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis with the support of the "superpower in Delhi", in an apparent reference to BJP top brass.

Maharashtra caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde has returned to his official residence, Varsha in Mumbai, after being discharged from Thane's Jupiter Hospital.

Shinde was taken to the hospital on Tuesday morning for a "routine check-up".

Leaders of the Mahayuti alliance, BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, visited Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Monday to oversee and inspect the preparations that are underway at the venue for the new government's oath-taking ceremony on December 5.

The ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar might meet Union minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday evening, a senior party leader was cited as saying by PTI.

NCP Maharashtra chief Sunil Tatkare said that Pawar had sought a meeting with Shah but was put on "waiting list".

Maharashtra caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde, when asked about his health condition, told reporters, "Badhiya hai" (all good).

Shinde completed his health check-up at Thane's Jupiter Hospital.

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Maharashtra caretaker CM Shinde rushed to Thane's Jupiter Hospital as his health condition shows no sign of improvement.

Doctors have advised full examination of his health; likely to be admitted for further investigation.

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: According to a report, the BJP and NCP are considering Eknath Shinde for the Leader of Opposition post as the opposition MVA does not have enough numbers for the post.

The Shinde-led Sena, on the other hand, has 57 MLAs, including Shinde himself.

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Rohit Pawar of NCP (SP) has challenged the Election Commission to investigate the allegations of EVM tampering and said "doubts need to cleared."

Pawar said, “Doubts need to be cleared and once it is cleared that the machine is foolproof, then no one will speak against EVM or Election Commission but to clear those doubts at least one opportunity has to be given...we are just saying what people are talking about.”

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: A group of villagers from Maharashtra's Malshrias assembly segment insisting on a "re-election" with ballot papers relented on Tuesday and gave up their plan after police intervention, the NCP (SP) winning candidate from the seat said.

A senior police official said they had cautioned the villagers that legal action would be initiated if they went ahead with their "polling" plan.

(PTI)

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto of “sidelining” Shinde despite contesting the elections under his leadership.

Crasto said, “When you have a majority, why are you digging deeper? Go ahead, accept the mandate of the people and give them a government. The fact is somewhere the role of Eknath Shinde has become very crucial here. I think he is trying to ask a lot of things that the BJP is not willing to give him.”

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Without naming Eknath Shinde, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said “the man who betrayed the party formed by Balasaheb Thackeray is desperate to be the CM.”

He added: “Had there been everyone's consent, why would it (govt formation) have taken so much of time?”

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: Congress MP Pramod Tiwari criticised the Mahayuti alliance for delaying government formation despite its sweeping majority.

“We can understand one thing - if the government is not with full majority, then numbers have to be brought in. But here, they registered a more than 2/3rd majority. Then what are they working on?” he asked.

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: "The decision to increase the amount to ₹2,100 per month would be taken in cabinet meeting of the new government. It is the cabinet's prerogative to decide how and when to increase the amount," said the minister in the outgoing Mahayuti government," BJP's Sudhir Mungantiwar said on Monday.

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: "Maharashtra BJP legislature party's meeting will be held either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Efforts will be made to unanimously elect a leader in that meeting of BJP MLAs. I and Sitharamanji will attend the meeting as observers and submit a report to the high command for the declaration of a leader, who may eventually become the CM if such a formula is finalised," said Rupani at his residence in Rajkot.

Maharashtra CM Live Updates: “I have a feeling that Maharashtra will get a BJP chief minister this time around since (outgoing CM) Eknath Shinde has made it clear that he will back the party's candidate,” said former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.