No Shiv Sena MLA will join new govt if Shinde not dy CM: Party leader

Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant on 5 December, Thursday, said no MLA from the party will accept any responsibility in the new Maharashtra government if Eknath Shinde does not take oath as deputy chief minister.

Talking to reporters hours ahead of the swearing-in ceremony for new chief minister-elect Devendra Fadnavis, Samant also said no MLA from the Shiv Sena has any intention of becoming deputy CM and the post could be occupied only by Shinde.

Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde, who served as chief minister in the outgoing government, has indicated that he is reluctant to join the new government as deputy CM.

BJP legislature party leader Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra on Thursday evening, at a grand ceremony to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Fadnavis will be taking oath along with two deputy chief ministers, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar told reporters earlier in the day.

"If Eknath Shinde does not accept the deputy CM's post, no MLA from Shiv Sena will accept any responsibility in the government," Samant said.

"We have made it very clear to Shinde that he must become deputy chief minister in the new government," the Shiv Sena leader said.

Samant said he was confident that Shinde would agree to their demand.