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<p>The suspense over who will get to sit in the chief minister’s chair continues as the Mahayuti alliance is yet to reach a consensus on government formation in Maharashtra. </p>
<p>On Thursday, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar met with Union Minister Amit Shah over the issue but the meeting did not result in any outcome. Moreover, Shinde reportedly demanded ministerial berths of key portfolios in the Maharashtra cabinet in the situation where he is not made the chief minister. </p>
<p>The next meeting of the Mahayuti alliance was scheduled to be held in Mumbai but the situation accelerated when Shinde called off the meeting and went to his native place in Satara. </p>
<p>Before leaving for Satara, Shinde held a meeting with Jitendra Awhad, an MLA from Mumbra and a prominent leader of the NCP’s Sharad Pawar faction, further adding fuel to the fire. </p>
<p>Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant, however, dismissed speculation that caretaker Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was upset and hence left for his native village. </p>
<p>Samant said Shinde was unwell when he met Shah. Asked about the meeting between Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar that was supposed to take place in Mumbai, Samant said, "If the meeting does not take place physically, it can also be held through video conference." "He (Shinde) is not upset. Even in Delhi, he was down with a fever and cold. It will be wrong to say he has gone to Dare because he is upset," the Sena leader maintained.</p>
<p>"Anyone can face health issues, and if he has gone to a good place (for health reasons), there is no point in concluding that he is upset," Samant added. </p>
<p>He also hinted at a "big decision" from Shinde in the next 24 hours ending Saturday. </p>
<p>“Whenever Eknath Shinde thinks that he needs some time to think he goes to his native village…When he (Eknath Shinde) has to make a big decision he goes to his native village. By tomorrow evening he (Eknath Shinde) will take a very big decision…,” Shirsat said.</p>
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