Amid the raging disqualification tussle between the rival Shiv Sena groups, Maharashtra Deputy CM and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis exuded confidence that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would not be disqualified, remarking that even if that happened in the unlikely event, then Mr. Shinde would be elected as an MLC and retain the top post.
Ever since rebel Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar joined the ruling Shinde-Fadnavis government on July 2 this year, there has been persistent speculation that Mr. Pawar would become the next CM in the event that the Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLAs were disqualified as an outcome of the plea filed by the rival Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) which has challenged the legality of the Shinde-BJP government following Mr. Shinde’s revolt last year which vertically split the Shiv Sena.
Stressing again that Mr. Shinde would continue to remain as Maharashtra’s CM come what may, Mr. Fadnavis, speaking to a vernacular channel, said: “To begin with, Mr. Shinde will not get disqualified. Even in the unlikely event that does happen, we will get him elected to the Legislative Council and he will retain the CM’s post.”
