Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cancelled his meetings with Mahayuti leaders to discuss the new government formation due to his ill health, extending the deadlock that has persisted for 10 days since the alliance's massive win last month.

The suspense over who will become the chief minister of Maharashtra continues as Eknath Shinde cancelled his meetings on Monday citing poor health, while NCP leader Ajit Pawar left for Delhi to meet top BJP leadership and discuss government formation.

The suspense over who will be Maharashtra's new chief minister is likely to end on December 4, when the state BJP legislature party elects its new leader.

Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and Devendra Fadnavis, either together or individually, are expected to visit Delhi later in the evening.

Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam lashed out at Ajit Pawar and the NCP, stating that it was Pawar's interference that cost Shiv Sena the top post. "Earlier, when Ajit Pawar joined Shiv Sena in 2023, it cost our people ministerial posts," Kadam told Zee 24 Hour.

Maharashtra: The Maharashtra Assembly election results were declared on November 23, but the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has yet to finalise its choice for Chief Minister.

Is "sulking" Eknath Shinde delaying the formation of BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra? Nine days after Mahayuti won a "Maha" mandate, there is still no end to the "Maha" suspense on the contours of the next government.

The deadlock over finalising the next Maharashtra Chief Minister dragged on as caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cancelled his meetings today as he's unwell, while NCP leader Ajit Pawar headed to Delhi to meet with top BJP leadership over government formation.