As the dust settles on Maharashtra's Assembly elections, the suspense thickens around the next Chief Minister. With the BJP's dominance and ongoing negotiations, will Eknath Shinde reclaim his position or will Devendra Fadnavis take the reins?

His post on X (formerly Twitter) comes amid speculations of him being in contention for the post of Deputy CM in Maharashtra.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has named Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and ex-Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as the designated 'observers' for a meeting of its Maharashtra MLAs later today, at which the Chief Minister issue may be settled.

Eknath Shinde asserts that the people of Maharashtra want him back as Chief Minister, citing his connection with the common man during his tenure. He emphasises support for the BJP’s decisions while reflecting on his administration’s achievements and the need for clarity in leadership.

Earlier on Sunday, acting CM Shinde said that he is not upset and extended his unconditional support to the BJP. He said that the name of the new chief minister would be announced on Monday.

Shrikant Shinde’s reaction to the speculation came even as the suspense over Maharashtra government formation lingers.

The remarks by Eknath Shinde came amid the ongoing impasse over the Mahayuti's chief ministerial pick over a week after the election results were declared.

The oath taking ceremony of the new CM is being delayed as reports of rift between the BJP and its alliance partners were rife. With Eknath Shinde leaving for his native village in Satara district on Friday after meeting BJP’s top brass in Delhi,

The announcement will be made ahead of the oath ceremony.” The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) on Sunday named MLA Jitendra Awhad as its group leader in the Maharashtra legislative assembly.