Mahayuti gained 232 seats, of which 132 belong to the BJP, 57 to the Shiv Sena, and 41 to the NCP. The three party leaders have stated that they will meet and decide on the Chief Minister’s face.
The Mahayuti alliance, which consists of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, won a landslide victory in the Maharashtra election two days ago, but the date of the new government’s swearing-in ceremony is still unknown. One major question is the reason: who will be the Chief Minister?
Sena leaders would prefer that Mr. Shinde remain as Chief Minister, claiming that the policies of his government helped the Mahayuti regain power, while BJP leaders would like Devendra Fadnavis to be elected due to the party’s significant role in the Mahayuti’s resounding victory. According to insiders, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP might back Mr. Fadnavis for the top position, tipping the scales in the BJP’s favor.
Of the 232 seats that the Mahayuti gained, 41 belong to the NCP, 57 to the Shiv Sena, and 132 to the BJP. The three party leaders have stated that they will meet and decide on the Chief Minister’s face. Sena and NCP MLAs have chosen Mr. Pawar and Mr. Shinde to lead their legislative parties, respectively. Slogans calling for Mr. Shinde to be the Chief Minister were chanted during the Sena MLAs’ meeting.
It is anticipated that Mr. Pawar, Mr. Shinde, and Mr. Fadnavis will travel to Delhi today to meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It has been learned that talks for a rotating chief ministership may potentially take place.
The Situation With Devendra Fadnavis
The tallest BJP leader in the state and a former Chief Minister, Mr Fadnavis is the frontrunner for the Chief Minister post. The BJP leader, who served in the Eknath Shinde government as a Deputy Chief Minister, is among the key architects of the BJP’s stunning strike rate in winning 132 out of the 148 seats it contested. Mr Fadnavis had agreed to play Number 2 in the government, albeit reluctantly, after the Eknath Shinde-led rebellion split the Shiv Sena and brought down the Uddhav Thackeray government despite the BJP holding more numbers in the ruling coalition. BJP leaders, therefore, feel he must now get his due. According to reports, BJP leaders are also against any rotational formula for the top post and want Mr Fadnavis as Chief Minister for five years.
Eknath Shinde: Will You Accept?
According to sources, Mr. Shinde is hesitant to resign as chief minister since Sena leaders think that the Mahayuti victory was made possible by the policies of his government, particularly Ladki Bahin. “Shiv Sena MLAs feel Shinde should continue in the post because under his leadership the Mahayuti worked very well and performed spectacularly in polls,” Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar told the media. He further stated that it will be in Maharashtra’s best interest for Mr. Shinde, Mr. Fadnavis, and Mr. Pawar to reach a united decision on the matter.
Mr. Shinde will also be subject to a harsh criticism from Sena (UBT) leader and former boss Uddhav Thackeray if he relinquishes his position as chief minister. Mr. Shinde would have to “work under Fadnavis,” as Mr. Thackeray has already stated. The Shiv Sena chief will therefore want to remain in order to prove his continued dominance and win the fight of perception.
The Game of Numbers
In spite of their overwhelming victory, the BJP still lacks a majority in the Assembly, which has 288 members. However, its 132-member count guarantees that it just needs one ally to establish the government. With the NCP’s help, the BJP can easily form the government, giving Eknath Shinde little leverage to push for the top position. In light of this, if the BJP is adamant about securing the Chief Minister position, both the Sena and the NCP will be trying to maximize their cabinet positions. With an eye toward long-term consequences and organizational influence, the BJP’s national leadership is currently considering their options for the Chief Minister.
