Shinde resigns, asked to act as caretaker CM of Maharashtra

Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP, Ajit Pawar of the NCP flanked Shinde as he submitted his resignation to the Governor

Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena on Tuesday resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister paving the way for the formation of the new government.

Eknath Shinde submitted his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan who asked him to continue as the caretaker CM till the new government takes oath.

In an "all is well sign" among the BJP-led NDA allies at a time of hectic parleys around the name of the next CM, leaders of all three coalition parties accompanied Shinde to the governor.

Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP, Ajit Pawar of the NCP flanked Shinde as he submitted his resignation to the Governor.

Meanwhile, discussions continue on the appointment of the "best" CM. The competition is between Fadnavis and Shinde.

Shiv Sena has cited the Bihar model of 2020 to stake claim to the CM's post. The BJP, meanwhile, is arguing that the massive mandate of 132 seats for it was a call that it should take the CM post.

The BJP would need to strike a fine balance in selecting the next CM of Maharashtra with Shinde a tall Maratha leader who powered the alliance to a victory and Fadnavis, a senior Brahmin leader, who has the backing of the RSS for the post.