Maha puzzle: CM throne awaits successor

Shinde says he won't be a hurdle in naming next CM, will go with BJP leadership's decision

MUMBAI: Four days after the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance scored a spectacular win in Maharashtra Assembly elections, the suspense on who will be the next chief minister lifted on Wednesday with outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde making it clear that he has assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi of abiding by whatever decision the BJP takes on his successor.

Though his faction of Shiv Sena has been posturing and pitching for Shinde's continuance as chief minister in the second innings, he addressed a press conference at his house in Thane, saying that he will "fully support" BJP leadership's decision to name the next CM.

Legislators from the BJP have been pushing for Devendra Fadnavis, outgoing Deputy Chief Minister and billed as architect of the party's impressive show in the polls, to the post of chief minister. The BJP bagged 132 out of 288 Assembly seats, emerging as the single largest party in the politically crucial state. However, over the past four days the party has maintained a studied silence on the question of the next chief minister.