Speculations about the government formation are escalating in the neighbouring state, as caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena has skipped another meeting scheduled for Monday.

Sources in the know suggest that the leader continues to suffer from a fever.

However, the state’s political circles were anticipating a meeting between the three spearheads of the MahaYuti alliance – Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar.

Meanwhile, Pawar, the NCP chief, has also left for Delhi. Sources speculate he could contact BJP’s top leadership in the capital. Pawar is accompanied by his party stalwarts Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel.

An announcement overdue

Eknath Shinde returned to Mumbai from his native village in Satara district. He reportedly went there on Friday, where he stayed for a couple of days.

This ordeal followed the MahaYuti leaders meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his Delhi residence.

BJP’s Fadnavis spoke to Shinde on Sunday over the phone and asked him to return to Mumbai, said sources.

His village visit was perceived as a reflection of his unhappiness over the discussions on government formation and selection of the new CM.

The sources added that Shiv Sena wants to bargain hard over Cabinet portfolios which may include the crucial home department.

The waiting game

The BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning a record 132 seats, venturing miles ahead of Shiv Sena’s 57 and NCP’s 41 in the 288-member Assembly.

Although MahaYuti contested the recently held Assembly elections under the leadership of CM Shinde, the BJP has already indicated that it is not ready to leave the CM’s post to him.

BJP is also yet to elect Fadnavis as the legislature party group leader formally.

The party sources are adamant that the former Deputy CM will take oath as the chief minister for the third time.

The swearing-in of the 31st Maharashtra Chief Minister will be held on Thursday at 5 pm at the historic Azad Maidan near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in south Mumbai.

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Fadnavis urges Shinde to return from Satara, talks on portfolios likely

MahaYuti’s meeting over govt formation cancelled as Eknath Shinde leaves for his native village