“Shiv Sena MP to Eknath Shinde: Respond to Allegations of BJP Using and Throwing Allies”

On Monday, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske called for Eknath Shinde to be appointed as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, urging the BJP to firmly address accusations that it “uses and throws” its allies. Mhaske pointed to the BJP’s approach in Bihar and Haryana, where the party supported its allies to take the CM’s position, despite not being the largest party. In Bihar, for example, the BJP backed Nitish Kumar as CM even though it won more seats. Similarly, in Haryana, after the BJP’s victory, Manohar Lal Khattar was appointed CM under the leadership of Nayan Saini.

Mhaske’s statement comes amid ongoing uncertainty over who will become Maharashtra’s next CM, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party after securing 132 seats in the state assembly. Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena won 57 seats, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP secured 41 seats. The Shiv Sena MP also took aim at Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s criticism, hoping the BJP would respond decisively to such “propaganda” regarding its handling of alliances.