Caretaker Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde has released a statement amid speculations around him becoming Deputy CM of Maharashtra.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday appointed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as central observers for the selection of the Maharashtra BJP Legislature Party leader.

Is "sulking" Eknath Shinde delaying the formation of BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra? Nine days after Mahayuti won a "Maha" mand.

Amid the delay in government formation, Shinde had on Sunday said that the Mahayuti leaders will hold a meeting to decide on portfolio distribution and power-sharing pact. Shinde-led Sena clarified that there was no meeting of the three Mahayuti leaders scheduled for Monday.

Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cancelled his meetings with Mahayuti leaders to discuss the new government formation due to his ill health, extending the deadlock that has persisted for 10 days since the alliance's massive win last month.

According to reports, Shinde was scheduled to attend a Mahayuti leaders meeting to finalise portfolio allocations. He is suffering from a throat infection and fever and did not return to his official residence, Varsha, in Mumbai. Shinde is currently staying in his native village in Satara.

Earlier on Sunday, acting CM Shinde said that he is not upset and extended his unconditional support to the BJP. He said that the name of the new chief minister would be announced on Monday.

Eknath Shinde asserts that the people of Maharashtra want him back as Chief Minister, citing his connection with the common man during his tenure. He emphasises support for the BJP's decisions while reflecting on his administration's achievements and the need for clarity in leadership.

He also sought to remind the BJP central leadership that Assembly elections were successfully fought under his leadership although he reiterated that his party will support the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The announcement will be made ahead of the oath ceremony.” The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) on Sunday named MLA Jitendra Awhad as its group leader in the Maharashtra legislative assembly.

Maharashtra caretaker CM Eknath Shinde said, "I am doing good now. I had come here to rest after the hectic election schedule... I did not take any leave during my 2.5 years as the CM. People are still here to meet me.