New Delhi/Mumbai, Dec. 5 -- When 132 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers shuffled into the central hall of the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday morning, there were two big questions hanging over the incoming Mahayuti government - whether Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde could be convinced to take oath as deputy to his one-time deputy and now presumptive chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and what formula of cabinet berths and key positions would seal the deal for the three-party alliance.
As night fell on a day of hectic parleys and back-room discussions, the fog had lifted over the first question but some suspense still lingered over the second - particularly on the home portfolio and the assembly Speaker's position - as a final word ...