Shinde Takes Oath as Deputy CM, Raut Decries His Short-Lived ‘Reign’
Eknath Shinde led the mutiny that split Uddhav Thackeray’s party in 2022
Shinde is set to be sworn in as Maharashtra’s deputy Chief Minister today, marking the culmination of nearly two weeks of suspense since his alliance, the Mahayuti, achieved a monumental victory in state electionssi . Taking a swipe at the former Chief Minister, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut declared,
Eknath Shinde is about to take the oath as Deputy CM. “(The Shinde) era is over. It was for two years. His purpose has been served and he has been tossed aside,” stated Raut. “He will never be the Chief Minister of this state again. They can even break Shinde’s party. This is always the BJP’s style – finishing parties that work with them.”
A Contested Ascent to Power
Shinde’s path to becoming deputy chief minister was marked by friction. The fruitful alliance led by the BJP, secured a significant victory in the recent assembly polls, widely anticipated to produce Shinde as Chief Minister again. However, negotiations stalled, with Shinde ultimately conceding the top post, accepting a secondary role as deputy.
“Those close to Shinde say he reluctantly accepted the deputy CM position,” a source close to Maharashtra’s political landscape told reporters.
Looking Ahead Toward a Fragile Equilibrium
Adding weight to political concern, Raut highlighted the delay in government formation, suggesting internal discord within Mahayuti. “There’s obviously something wrong within their party or the Mahayuti coalition. This will unravel tomorrow. They aren’t working in Maharashtra’s interests or even that of India, they’ve come together out of selfishness. The people across Maharashtra have rejected these election results,” stated Raut, “still, we welcome the arrival of a new welchem Chief Minister today.”
In a statement following his party’s victory in the 2022 Maharashtra elections,**
Shinde’s camp stated that they are committed to pursuing the BJP mandate given to them. “We
’ll ensure development and correction,” an announcement exceeded.
This announcement is gaining certain widespread, significant dissent. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi, comprised of parties like the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress and the NCP, have expressed concerns over the voting procedure used in the election, noting the “shocking” outcome considering their lending party’s win in enough to the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year. Naresh Patil for Maharashtra
What are the political motivations behind the BJP’s decision to offer Eknath Shinde the position of Deputy Chief Minister?
## Interview: Shinde’s Rise and Fall?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is political analyst Dr. Maya Sharma to discuss the latest developments in Maharashtra. Eknath Shinde, who was Chief Minister just a few weeks ago, is now set to be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. Dr. Sharma, what are your thoughts on this sudden shift in power?
**Dr. Sharma:** This is a fascinating turn of events, indeed. Shinde’s tenure as Chief Minister was short-lived, lasting only two years. As Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, pointed out, this could be the end of Shinde’s time at the helm. It seems he was caught in a game of political maneuvering where his purpose within the Mahayuti alliance may have been served, and he’s now being sidelined.
**Host:** Raut’s comments were quite scathing, accusing the BJP of a pattern of dismantling allied parties. Do you see any truth to this?
**Dr. Sharma:** It’s a complex situation. The BJP’s dominance in Maharashtra politics is undeniable, and their history with coalition partners does raise questions. While it wouldn’t be fair to make blanket statements about their intentions, it is understandable why some parties, like Raut’s Shiv Sena (UBT), view the BJP with suspicion.
**Host:** So, what does this mean for Shinde and his faction of Shiv Sena?
**Dr. Sharma:** Shinde’s position is precarious. Accepting the Deputy Chief Minister role could be seen as a strategic move to stay relevant, but it also signifies a loss of power. It’ll be interesting to see how his supporters react and if his faction retains its cohesion within the Mahayuti.
**Host:** Thank you for providing your insights, Dr. Sharma. It seems the drama in Maharashtra politics is far from over.
