Shiv Sena not to go for Shrikant Shinde, consider other party MPs for inclusion in union cabinet

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 6 (ANI): With discussions over government formation gathering pace following BJP-led NDA's victory in Lok Sabha polls, Shiv Sena is likely to consider party MPs other than Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, who is the son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, for inclusion in the union cabinet.
Party sources said Shiv Sena leadership has indicated that other party MPs will be considered for the role at the Centre and this decision reflects Eknath Shinde's "pledge to prioritise meritocracy over family connections".
At last year's Shiv Sena convention in Kolhapur, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized the principle of "Raja ka beta raja nahin banega, jo kam karega wo raja banega" (The son of a king won't necessarily become a king, whoever works will become the king).
"Following the ethos of the late Balasaheb Thackeray, who treated his colleagues as equals, the Shiv Sena party continues to uphold these ideals. The Chief Minister's preference for meritocracy over nepotism underscores the party's commitment to rewarding hardworking leaders within its ranks," a party source said.
Srikant Shinde is a three-time MP from Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency. Shiv Sena won seven Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra with NCP, the other ally of BJP, winning only one seat. The BJP won nine seats in the state.
Srikant Shinde successfully retained the Kalyan constituency with a margin of 2,09,144 votes and scored a hat-trick win. He defeated Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vaishali Darekar-Rane.
BJP-led NDA got majority in the results of Lok Sabha polls declared on June 4. BJP fell short of a majority on its own by 22 seats. (ANI)