Will abide by PM Modi's decision on CM: Shinde

Any decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union home minister Amit Shah on selecting the chief minister of Maharashtra will be acceptable to him, caretaker CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde said on Wednesday, potentially paving the way for a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member to take over the state's top job.

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Shinde's comments came amid protracted uncertainty over the chief minister's position, days after the BJP-headed Mahayuti won a landslide victory in the assembly elections.

"I called PM Modi and Amit Shah yesterday and told them to decide (on who will be the CM), and assured them that I will abide by whatever decision they take," Shinde said at a press conference in Thane.

"Our Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP's decision to name the next Maharashtra CM. There is no speed breaker from our side," he said.

"You (PM Modi) are the head of our family. The way people of BJP accept your decision, we will also accept your decision in the same way," Shinde added.

Leaders of the three parties of the Mahayuti - the BJP, the Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party - will have a meeting in Shah's presence in Delhi on Thursday, Shinde added. The chief minister's name is expected to be announced shortly after that. The oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held on Monday.

"I am not unhappy and not a speedbreaker in their decision making. We will support any decision taken by them (PM Modi and Shah)," Shinde said.