Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat has emphasised the importance of his party securing the home department in the new Maharashtra government, a position traditionally held by the deputy chief minister. Speaking to PTI, Shirsat also claimed there were attempts to sideline caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the ongoing deliberations for government formation.

According to PTI reports, Shirsat underscored Shinde’s contributions during his tenure as chief minister, praising his "common man" image and the welfare schemes implemented under his leadership. Shirsat suggested that Shinde could have achieved even more had he been granted an additional two-and-a-half years as the state’s leader.