Maharashtra Miniter Dada Bhuse Projects Eknath Shinde As Next CM. (Photo: X)

Shiv Sena minister Dada Bhuse has expressed confidence that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who he believes resides in the hearts of the people, will once again lead the state. Speaking at a rally for local body elections in Nandurbar on Wednesday, the School Education Minister stated, “Even today, if you ask people who the chief minister is in their hearts, they will say it is Eknath ji Shinde.”

Furthermore, Bhuse reassured the crowd, saying, “Do not worry. Destiny will again see Eknath Shinde leading Maharashtra.”

Shinde was a CM who would meet everyone even late in the night and worked for 20-22 hours a day, Bhuse further claimed.

His remarks come at a time when there is a strain in the ties between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, both part of the ruling Mahayuti, over induction of each other’s leaders ahead of local body polls.

Shinde was the chief minister from 2022-2024 after leading a revolt that led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government and a split in the Shiv Sena.

Following the Mahayuti’s victory in the 2024 assembly polls, Devendra Fadnavis replaced Shinde, who had to remain content with the post of deputy chief minister.