Thane, 27 Nov

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said he will “fully support” BJP leadership’s decision to name the next CM, adding that he won’t be a hurdle in the process.

Shinde’s announcement makes the decks clear for the BJP to name Devendra Fadnavis as the CM for the third time, a senior BJP leader said. “I called PM Modi yesterday (Tuesday) and also Amit Shah and told them to decide (on who will be the CM post), and assured them that I will abide by whatever decision they take,” Shinde told reporters at his residence in Thane.

“Our Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP’s decision to name the next Maharashtra CM. There is no speed breaker from our side,” Shinde said.

Shinde rubbished reports that he was disappointed for not getting a second term as CM despite the ruling Mahayuti alliance winning a thumping victory under his leadership. "Nobody is annoyed. We have worked as Mahayuti," he said.

Asked if he was dismayed that he was not getting a second term, Shinde said, “There is no such thing. You must remember that BJP supported my tenure as CM.” “There is a meeting in Delhi tomorrow (Thursday) with Amit bhai (Shah) and all related decisions will be taken there,” Shinde said, when asked about who the deputy chief ministers will be in the new cabinet.

The modalities of forming the next government will be finalised in the meeting at Delhi on Thursday, he said. “I thank the people and voters of Maharashtra once again for this landslide victory,” he said.

Shinde said he campaigned extensively during the recent Assembly elections. “I used to sleep for 2-3 hours before starting the campaign the next day,” he added. “I am a worker forever; for me, CM is not Chief Minister but Common Man,” he said.

Shinde thanked PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for supporting him during his two-and-a-half year tenure as chief minister. “We worked to take Maharashtra to Number 1 spot from Number 3 in six months of my becoming CM,” he said.

“I am not disappointed. We fight and don’t cry,” Shinde said, referring to media reports that he was unhappy over being asked to step down despite leading the Mahayuti to a massive poll victory. “I worked as the CM not to become popular but for the welfare of people of Maharashtra,” Shinde said.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance scripted a powerful comeback in state assembly elections by winning 230 seats in the 288-member House.

Recovering from its Lok Sabha elections losses, the BJP bagged 132 constituencies, highest among all constituents of the Mahayuti. Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP also performed well. Sena won 57 while NCP won 41 seats.