Editor's Pick | Mahayuti talks continue; Shinde to back BJP choice

A week after securing a resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly election, the Mahayuti alliance — comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP — still finds itself embroiled in uncertainty over the State’s next Chief Minister. Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena on Sunday affirmed that the decision rests with the BJP and assured the chosen candidate his full support. Speaking at his native village of Dare in the Satara district, Mr. Shinde said: “I have made my stand clear. The decision on the Chief Minister’s post, as taken by the BJP leadership, will have my full backing.” He also dismissed concerns about his health and recent visit to the village, stating he was there to rest after falling ill. “Our responsibility has grown because of the massive mandate given by the people,” he said. While Mr. Shinde projects unity in public, private talks between the Mahayuti allies are continuing, with discussions involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah. BJP State chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend, providing a deadline for the leadership guessing games to end. ‘CM will decide Cabinet’ BJP leader Raosaheb Danve hinted that the decision has been finalised, but an official announcement is awaited. “Even people know who is going to be the next Chief Minister. We are waiting for final confirmation from senior party leaders,” Mr. Danve hinted, fuelling speculation that the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, the former CM and Mr. Shinde’s deputy in the outgoing government, is the frontrunner for the post. Mr. Danve added that the composition of the State Cabinet would be at the discretion of the new Chief Minister. “It is the Chief Minister’s prerogative to decide who will be part of the Cabinet,” he noted, brushing off concerns about Mr. Shinde’s absence from Mumbai. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Minister Aaditya Thackeray criticised the Mahayuti’s inability to name a Chief Minister, accusing them of taking Maharashtra lightly. “To not be able to decide on a Chief Minister for more than a week after the results is not just an insult to Maharashtra but also to the assistance provided by their dearest Election Commission,” Mr. Thackeray said in a post on X. He questioned the legality of declaring a swearing-in date without even staking a claim to form the government. Mr. Thackeray’s scathing remarks extended to Mr. Shinde’s absence. “In all this, the caretaker CM is on a mini vacation, as per the phase of the moon, as we’ve regularly observed earlier too,” he said. The Hindu’s Editorials Revanchist suits: On the Shahi Jama Masjid ​First step: On the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire The Hindu’s Daily Quiz Where is the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela happening? Haridwar Prayagraj Ujjain Banaras To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 02 December 2024 [The Hindu logo] [EP Logo] Editor's Pick 02 December 2024 In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [View in browser]( [More newsletters]( Mahayuti talks continue; Shinde to back BJP choice A week after securing a resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly election, the Mahayuti alliance — comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP — still finds itself embroiled in uncertainty over the State’s next Chief Minister. Caretaker Chief Minister [Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena]( on Sunday affirmed that the decision rests with the BJP and assured the chosen candidate his full support. Speaking at his native village of Dare in the Satara district, Mr. Shinde said: “I have made my stand clear. The decision on the Chief Minister’s post, as taken by the BJP leadership, will have my full backing.” He also dismissed concerns about his health and recent visit to the village, stating he was there to rest after falling ill. “Our responsibility has grown because of the massive mandate given by the people,” he said. While Mr. Shinde projects unity in public, private talks between the Mahayuti allies are continuing, with discussions involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah. BJP State chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend, providing a deadline for the leadership guessing games to end. ‘CM will decide Cabinet’ BJP leader Raosaheb Danve hinted that the decision has been finalised, but an official announcement is awaited. “Even people know who is going to be the next Chief Minister. We are waiting for final confirmation from senior party leaders,” Mr. Danve hinted, fuelling speculation that the [BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis]( the former CM and Mr. Shinde’s deputy in the outgoing government, is the frontrunner for the post. Mr. Danve added that the composition of the State Cabinet would be at the discretion of the new Chief Minister. “It is the Chief Minister’s prerogative to decide who will be part of the Cabinet,” he noted, brushing off concerns about Mr. Shinde’s absence from Mumbai.  Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Minister Aaditya Thackeray criticised the Mahayuti’s inability to name a Chief Minister, accusing them of taking Maharashtra lightly. “To not be able to decide on a Chief Minister for more than a week after the results is not just an insult to Maharashtra but also to the assistance provided by their dearest [Election Commission]( Mr. Thackeray said in a post on X. He questioned the legality of declaring a swearing-in date without even staking a claim to form the government. Mr. Thackeray’s scathing remarks extended to Mr. Shinde’s absence. “In all this, the caretaker CM is on a mini vacation, as per the phase of the moon, as we’ve regularly observed earlier too,” he said. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Revanchist suits: On the Shahi Jama Masjid]( [Arrow][​First step: On the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire]( The Hindu’s Daily Quiz Where is the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela happening? - Haridwar - Prayagraj - Ujjain - Banaras To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here](. 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