Mumbai: Nearly two years after Devendra Fadnavis became chief minister, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena still hopes to see its leader return to the top post, and now plans to build the numbers by the next Assembly election in 2029.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday that the party would increase its strength in the next Assembly polls to make Eknath Shinde chief minister again. "Every Shiv Sainik wants Eknath Shinde to become Chief Minister again. Anand Paranjpe, ordinary Shiv Sainiks and I share this feeling. But we have to consider the numbers. Since we do not have the numbers today, Shinde is the Deputy Chief Minister. We will increase our strength in the next Assembly elections and make him Chief Minister again," Sarnaik said.
Water Resources Minister Gulabrao Patil had earlier said Shinde should become chief minister again, calling it the sentiment of party legislators. Shiv Sena leader Sachin Ahir said Shinde need not wait for an increase in numbers and could become chief minister even now.
In the November 2024 Assembly elections, the BJP won 132 of 288 seats, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena 57 and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP 41. With the Mahayuti retaining power, Fadnavis became chief minister and Shinde and Ajit Pawar his deputies. After Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati, his wife Sunetra took oath as deputy chief minister. Sarnaik's remarks are not a formal demand or decision by the Mahayuti leadership.