Until late Friday night, there was no clarity on what the contours of the new government in Maharashtra might look like

Oath-taking ceremony of the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra would likely be held on December 5 at Azad Maidan. Follow The Hindu for more updates.

Speculation continues over the the decision over Maharashtra chief minister and the formation of the Maharashtra government nearly a week after the Maharashtra election results, with Mahayuti alliance leaders holding multiple meetings in Mumbai and Delhi.

Following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda, Shinde described the discussions as "good and positive" and noted that a follow-up meeting in Mumbai will finalise the Chief Ministerial face.

Eknath Shinde has hinted that he is out of the race for the Maharashtra CM post, saying he will abide by PM Narendra Modi’s and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s decision on the matter. This means the path is clear for the BJP to appoint its own face for the top job.

Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, met Shah and Nadda late Thursday (November 28) to thrash out a power-sharing pact for the next government in Maharashtra after the BJP-led coalition registered a thumping majority in the Assembly elections.

On Tuesday, Eknath Shinde tendered his resignation as chief minister to Governor C P Radhakrishnan. The governor requested Shinde to continue as caretaker chief minister until a new government is formed.

BJP leaders meet MahaYuti allies to resolve Maharashtra Chief Minister deadlock amid speculation and criticism.

Eknath Shinde might not become deputy CM. He was the chief minister in the previous government. Shinde's aide said the position is not suitable for him. He will, however, join the cabinet. Shinde's Shiv Sena will choose another leader for the deputy CM role.

Eknath Shinde, who served as chief minister in the outgoing Maharashtra government, is unlikely to accept the post of deputy CM in the new dispensation, his close aide Sanjay Shirsat said on Thursday.

The BJP will likely give 12 Maharashtra cabinet berths, including three big-ticket portfolios, to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena to make up for the Chief Minister post, according to sources.