How BJP Gains From Making Eknath Shinde The Chief Minister
NDTV
By naming Eknath Shinde for the top post in Maharashtra, the BJP has tackled criticism that it is power-hungry.
As Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde and the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis announced plans for the next Maharashtra government this evening, there was a big surprise. Eknath Shinde would be the new Maharashtra Chief Minister, said Devendra Fadnavis, a two-time Chief Minister.
Mr Fadnavis was widely tipped to be the Chief Minister, with Mr Shinde as his deputy. He said, however, that he would support Mr Shinde's government without being a part of it. That set off speculation about a national role for him. It was left to the BJP to reveal that Mr Fadnavis would be Deputy Chief Minister. Mr Fadnavis, sulking over the downgrade, had skipped announcing it earlier, sources said.
The shockers this evening revealed careful planning by the BJP to outmanoeuvre Uddhav Thackeray, the once-powerful Shiv Sena chief who had questioned the rebels just a week ago - "If I quit, can you guarantee that the Chief Minister will be a Shiv Sainik?"
By naming Mr Shinde, an auto driver-turned-minister, for the top post, the BJP has tackled criticism that it is power-hungry.
