Minutes after Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said he would not insist on becoming chief minister again and would accept any decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule almost heaved a sigh of relief.

At a hurriedly called press conference in Nagpur, Bawankule said it was very generous of Shinde to make it clear that he would accept whatever the NDA leaders decided in Delhi on Thursday.

“I want to thank Shinde. He today made clear his stand on the chief minister's post. He has taken an important stand. I am proud of him,” the BJP leader said.

Asked if Shinde’s retreat was seen as a clear signal that the way was now clear for BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to be the next CM, Bawankule said the final decision and announcement was expected after the meeting in Delhi.

Shah and NDA leaders are to meet Mahayuti leaders Shinde, Fadnavis and NCP faction leader Ajit Pawar to discuss the nitty-gritty of government formation and the final constitution of the new Cabinet on Thursday.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was on a brief visit to the city to attend a wedding ceremony, refused to give any indication on the next CM.

Bawankule told reporters that Shinde’s unequivocal stance, declared at a press briefing in Thane on Wednesday, was a slap in the face of the discredited and defeated MVA leaders who were busy spreading rumours that he was angry and unwilling to give up claim on the chief ministerial post.

Bawankule praised Shinde for his commitment to Maharashtra’s progress, highlighting his role in the completion of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway. “He took a lot of efforts for the betterment of Maharashtra. He did a good job as chief minister,” Bawankule added. As CM, Shinde demonstrated the true power of a “double-engine” government, he said.

The state BJP leader also ridiculed the Congress andShiv Sena (UBT) for raising doubts on the authenticity of EVMs.

“When they won in Lok Sabha, EVMs were fine, but now that they have lost miserably and taught a lesson by the people for their arrogance, they are blaming the machine. It’s high time the MVA leaders accepted with magnanimity the historic verdict of the 14 crore people of Maharashtra instead of belittling the clear and resounding mandate,” he said.