Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is scheduled to have a meeting with the BJP leadership in Delhi on Saturday, as per the sources cited by News18. This unexpected trip to the national capital has triggered new speculations, especially after the recently reported unrest within Shinde-led Shiv Sena following Ajit Pawar’s entry into the government.
In July, Shinde had addressed and dispelled speculations regarding his faction’s dissatisfaction with Ajit Pawar’s inclusion in the state government. He firmly stated that there was no unhappiness within his government regarding Pawar’s involvement.
Shinde dismissed the rumours as “opposition-driven” and attempts to create uncertainty about his position as Chief Minister, especially after Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs joined the state ministry about a year ago.
Earlier, some Shiv Sena legislators had expressed concerns over the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar joining the government. However, to address the situation, Shinde conducted a meeting with the Shiv Sena MLAs, MLCs, and MPs.
Pawar’s statement expressing his desire to become the Chief Minister added to the unease within the Shinde faction, particularly with the wait over the Assembly Speaker’s ruling on the disqualification complaint against its MLAs.
In response to the speculations, Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant refuted any claims of Shinde’s resignation, deeming them false.
On July 2, NCP leader Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the second Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with the backing of approximately 30 NCP MLAs, eight of whom were included in CM Eknath Shinde’s cabinet.
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