Among us, no one is big or small: Eknath Shinde on Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti

Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said that the Mahayuti leaders took a joint decision on the government formation in Maharashtra. He emphasised that no one is big or small in the Mahayuti alliance led by him, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar.
“I am very happy with the completion of two and a half years. The work done by our government, the Mahayuti government, the three of us and our team in the last 2.5 years is remarkable. It will be written in golden letters in history. We are happy that we took such big decisions,” Eknath Shinde said.
Mahayuti leaders today met Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, who invited Devendra Fadnavis to form next government in the state.
During the press conference, Shinde was asked whether he and Ajit Pawar would take oath on December 5 as Devendra Fadnavis’ deputies.
Eknath Shinde did not confirm whether he will take oath tomorrow and instead said, “Wait till evening…”
There was also a light-hearted moment as Ajit Pawar, in response to Shinde’s reply, quipped, “Sham tak unka samaj aayega (We will know about Shinde by evening), I will take it (oath), I will not wait.”
“Dada (Ajit Pawar) has experience of taking (oath) both in the morning and evening,” Shinde said, eliciting a laughter from those present at the press conference.

Devendra Fadnavis, who will take oath as Chief Minister tomorrow, said that he has requested Eknath Shinde to be part of the government.
“The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held tomorrow at 5.30 pm in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi… We will decide by evening who all will take oath tomorrow. Yesterday I met Eknath Shinde and requested him that it is the wish of Mahayuti workers that he should be with us in this government. I have full faith that he will be with us,” Fadnavis said.
He added, “We will fulfil the promises made to the people of Maharashtra.”