"Everything will be cleared till Monday evening": Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat

When asked about the allotment of ministries to allies, Shirsat stated that everything would be clarified by Monday evening.

"According to me, whenever Eknath Shinde thinks that he needs some time to think he goes to his native village. By tomorrow evening, he will take a big decision. It can be anything, a political decision.... Everything will be cleared by Monday evening... The oath-taking ceremony should be held before the 5th of December as we have preparations in this manner..." Shirsat told ANI.

Eknath Shinde had travelled to his native village in Satara district on Friday.

Earlier, on Thursday night, Maharashtra caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, along with Devendra Fadnavis, NCP chief Ajit Pawar and other Mahayuti leaders met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda in the national capital.

After the meeting with Amit Shah and JP Nadda, Eknath Shinde described the meeting as "good and positive", adding that another meeting will be conducted, which is expected to yield a decision for the Chief Minister face.

"The meeting was good and positive. This was the first meeting. We had a discussion with Amit Shah and JP Nadda...There will be another meeting of the Mahayuti. In this meeting, a decision will be taken about who will be the Chief Minister. The meeting will be held in Mumbai," he said.

The leaders gathered to deliberate on the formation of the new government in Maharashtra.

Fadnavis asserted that the Mahayuti alliance had no internal differences and that a decision on the Chief Minister would be made soon after consultations with all the leaders.

Speaking to the media, Devendra Fadnavis said, "In our Mahayuti alliance, there has never been a difference of opinion. We have always made decisions collectively. Before the elections, we announced that the decision regarding the Chief Minister's post would be taken collectively after the results. A few people had doubts, but Eknath Shinde ji has clarified those today. We will soon meet our leaders and finalise the decision."

Meanwhile, Shirsat also reacted to Sharad Pawar's allegations that power and money were "misused" during the assembly elections and said that it's not right to make such a statement after losing the elections.

In a sharp retort, Shirsat alleged that it is Sharad Pawar who has used muscle power and money power the most in politics.

Sanjay Shirsat said, "It is not right for a big leader like Sharad Pawar to make such a statement. Sharad Pawar has used muscle power and money power the most in politics. It is not right to make such a statement after losing the election..."

The Maharashtra Assembly election results were declared on November 23, with BJP-led Mahayuti alliance storming back to power with a landslide majority. The ruling alliance, however, is yet to finalise its Chief Minister face.

The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats in the 280-member Maharashtra Assembly, while its allies--the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, and the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar--won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. (ANI)