Mumbai/IBNS: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday resigned as per norms before the formation of a new government amid the suspense brewing over whether the Shiv Sena leader will continue or will be replaced, media reports said.

Shinde has been appointed as the caretaker Chief Minister by Governor CP Radhakrishnan.

He will continue as the caretaker Chief Minister till the oath-taking ceremony.

The suspense over the CM's post started soon after the Mahayuti decimated the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the November 20 assembly elections.

The Mahayuti comprising Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (Shinde camp) and Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) won a massive 230 of 288 seats.

Out of 230, the BJP dominated with a tremendous strike rate winning 132, the highest-ever by the saffron party in the state.

Soon after the results were declared, Shinde, as per reports, remained firm in continuing as the Chief Minister.

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, however, denied any tussle within the coalition over the post and said the Mahayuti leaders will take a call on the matter.

Fadnavis, who remained the Chief Minister from 2014-2019, served as Shinde's deputy in the Mahayuti government.

On Fadnavis' probably return, BJP leader Pravin Darekar had earlier said as quoted by Mint, "The CM will be from Mahayuti and, obviously, the largest party has the greater chance and with BJP emerging the largest party, if there is a CM of BJP, it will be Devendra Fadnavis."