After a two-day break that gave rise to speculation about his discontent, Eknath Shinde is back in Mumbai, paving the way for power-sharing talks, which have been on hold for two days. The caretaker chief minister, who is said to be unhappy at not being made home minister in the new government, did not deny the reports and said the decision would be taken in a meeting between top leaders of the three parties of the alliance.

Shinde on Friday paid a two-day visit to his native Dare village in Satara after canceling the scheduled meeting between him, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and NCP chief Ajit Pawar. This meeting to discuss the sharing of departments, the number of ministerial posts and guardian ministries is now expected to take place on Monday.

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Shinde, who was told by BJP leaders that the chief minister would be from the BJP, had then insisted on the Home Ministry. He reportedly sulked after the BJP decided not to hand over this crucial department, which should belong to the chief minister. Shinde’s sudden visit to his homeland is believed to be an expression of his discontent.

Returning from Dare on Sunday by helicopter, Shinde reportedly held a meeting with his senior colleagues to discuss the party’s position on government formation. In an interaction with media on Sunday in Thane, he said leaders of the three parties would take a decision on power sharing soon.

When asked if the Shiv Sena was insisting on the Home Ministry and if he wanted his son to become deputy chief minister, Shinde chose not to answer the question. “We have already had a meeting with Amit Shah and will soon have another meeting of the three Mahayuti leaders,” he said. “After that, an appropriate decision will be taken. We are committed to giving good government to the people of Maharashtra. The caretaker chief minister added that the decision on the CM’s post would be taken by the BJP, and he had already made his stand clear – that he would follow the decision.

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Claiming that he had gone to Dare because he was not feeling well, Shinde said it was because of the efforts made during the campaign. “I took medicine for two days,” he said, adding that he had not taken a single day off in his two-and-a-half years as CM.

Shinde, Fadnavis and Pawar met Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Thursday evening, where the outline of power sharing was decided by Shah. In another meeting with Shinde, the union home minister reportedly clarified that the home ministry would be retained by the BJP. However, the Shiv Sena cites the example of Fadnavis who retained the Home Ministry in the Shinde-led government when he was demoted to deputy chief minister, and wants the same principle to be applied in the case of Shinde.

The BJP and Shiv Sena are also reportedly at odds over the post of President. The Sena appears to be increasing pressure on the BJP by demanding this post, crucial in coalition governments, in addition to that of the Interior Ministry. The BJP is apparently not ready to concede any of these positions and is considering retaining them itself. Sources said that if Shinde does not get the Home Ministry, he will also not take up the post of Deputy Chief Minister and wants his MP son Shrikant Shinde to be Deputy CM.

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BJP leader and former union minister Raosaheb Danve said the decision on the real estate issue and other portfolios would be taken by the leaders of the three parties. “As far as the CM post is concerned, the people of Maharashtra know who it is but it will be announced at the appropriate time,” he said. “The official announcement will be made only after following due process in accordance with our party’s working style.”

The BJP is expected to formally elect the CM at a meeting of the 132 newly elected MLAs in a meeting on Tuesday or Wednesday. “The names of observers who will choose the legislature party leader are expected soon after a meeting in Delhi,” a BJP leader said. “Subsequently, the meeting to choose the CM will be held and all party MLAs have been asked to camp in Mumbai for four days from Monday. It is the leader elected by the legislators who will claim the formation of the government.”

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Mahayuti government will take place at Azad Maidan on December 5.