"Three leaders will decide formula for state cabinet, portfolios": Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 30 (ANI): Amid the suspense over the Chief Minister face in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai on Saturday stated that Shiv Sena and NCP have already selected their legislative leaders while BJP is expected to choose its legislative leader in a meeting for December 2. Desai further clarified that the three leaders will then decide the formula for the state cabinet and its portfolios after the BJP has finalised its legislative leader.
He said, "... Discussion about the portfolios is discussed by the senior leaders of the party... Our three leaders will sit together and make a formula for everything after a discussion.... Earlier, I got the information that the legislative meeting of the BJP will be held on Monday (2nd Dec) and they will choose the legislative leader of their party. Shiv Sena and NCP have already chosen Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar as the leaders of their parties respectively... After the meeting, the three leaders will decide the formula for state cabinet and portfolios..."
Reacting to Sharad Pawar's remarks about "misuse of power and use of money in elections," Desai said that he can still file a complaint with the police and the Election Commission. Hitting out at Sharad Pawar, Desai said that Pawar should have complained about this issue during elections.
Shambhuraj Desai said, "Why didn't he (Sharad Pawar) complain about it during the elections? If the power and money were misused during the elections, the candidates of Maha Vikas Aghadi should have complained to the election officers. police, district administration...He is just blaming something for their defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections...He (Sharad Pawar) can still file a complaint with the police, election commission..."
Earlier today, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat stated that the caretaker Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde will make a significant decision by Sunday.
When asked about the allotment of portfolios to allies, Shirsat mentioned 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.
On Thursday night, Maharashtra's 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 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)