Eknath Shinde should have been natural choice: Shiv Sena's Shaina NC on Maharashtra CM pick

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Thursday said that looking at the work done by caretaker-Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his tenure, he should have been the "natural choice" for leading the state government once again.

"The strike rate of all three parties has been so stupendous that every party will want its leader to become the Chief Minister. But we feel that the way Eknath Shinde has worked on the ground, without any allegation and for the common man and led us to victory, he should have been the natural choice," she told ANI.



She also said that Shinde has "shown dignity" by saying that he is ready to accept any decision taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"He has also shown dignity by saying that it is the high command that will decide who should be given the leadership...Mahayuti is here to stay and to work in the interest of the people of Maharashtra," she added.

Further criticising the Maha Vikas Agadhi, she said that while the Mahayuti alliance will remain intact, the people who lost their ideology have been given a befitting answer to them in the recent elections.

"For all those who lost their ideology and threw it away for power, the public has given a befitting answer to them," Shaina NC said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske said that the party would be backing anyone they choose as the Chief Minister since the BJP has supported them throughout.


Speaking to ANI, Mhaske emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah dedicated their "valuable time" to the Maharashtra elections.

"PM Modi, Union HM Amit Shah, and BJP's national president JP Nadda--leaders of the Mahayuti alliance--are also our leaders, and whatever decision they take regarding the Chief Minister will be accepted by all of us," said the Shiv Sena MP.

"They have stood by us, and we will do the same for whoever they decide to be the CM. PM Modi and HM Amit Shah gave their valuable time during the Maharashtra elections, and the victory we achieved is partly due to their party's efforts and hard work," he added.

Eknath Shinde has also said that he would abide by whatever decision is taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I have told the Prime Minister that if my presence creates any obstacle in forming the government in Maharashtra, there should be no hesitation in making a decision. Whatever decision you take will be acceptable to me," Shinde said during a press conference in Mumbai.