Weeks after the BJP took the surprise decision of making Eknath Shinde its chief minister and Devendra Fadnavis as its deputy, BJP state president Chandrakant Patil on Saturday said the decision was taken with a “heavy heart”. Within hours, the video was taken down from all BJP social media platforms and several leaders, including Fadnavis, came out to blow the air. Even as he defended Patil, Fadnavis said that Shinde was their leader and the decision to make him the chief minister might have shocked many, but it was not taken suddenly; It was well thought out and taken together. Speaking at the BJP’s first state executive meeting after the change of government, Patil said there was a need for a leader who would stabilize the government and send the right message, and therefore with a “heavy heart”, central BJP leaders, especially Fadnavis decided. He asked to make Shinde the CM.