MUMBAI: Weeks after BJP made the stunning decision of making Eknath Shinde the Maharashtra chief minister and Devendra Fadnavis his deputy, BJP state president Chandrakant Patil on Saturday said the decision was taken with a "heavy heart".
Within hours, the video was taken off from all BJP social media platforms and several leaders, including Fadnavis, came out to clear the air. Even as he defended Patil, Fadnavis said Shinde was their leader and the decision to make him the CM might have surprised many, but it was not taken suddenly; it was well thought out and taken unitedly.
Speaking at BJP's first state executive meeting after the change of government, Patil said there was a need for a leader who would stabilise the government and send out the right message, and so with a "heavy heart" central BJP leaders, especially Fadnavis, decided to make Shinde CM, he said.
