The suspense over the next Maharashtra Chief Minister continues, as top leaders of the Mahayuti alliance—Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena), and Ajit Pawar (NCP)—are set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi today. The meeting aims to resolve the deadlock over who will take the top post following the Mahayuti alliance’s resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
On November 23, the alliance won a significant 230 of 288 seats, with BJP emerging as the largest party at 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (57) and NCP (41). Despite the overwhelming mandate, five days later, the three allies have not yet reached a consensus on the Chief Ministership. It is widely speculated that Fadnavis, due to the BJP’s highest-ever seat tally, will take the position, but the final decision remains pending.
Ajit Pawar hinted that the new Chief Minister could be sworn in by November 30 or December 1, with two deputy chief ministers representing the alliance. Meanwhile, Mahayuti leaders have been making trips between Mumbai and Delhi, engaging in discussions with BJP’s central leadership. A key concern for the BJP is how appointing Fadnavis, a non-Maratha, might affect Maratha votes, given the community’s significant influence in Maharashtra.
Eknath Shinde, who resigned as Chief Minister but remains as caretaker, has stated that the decision on the next CM should be left to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP leadership. “I have assured PM Modi that I won’t be an obstacle, and we will go with whatever he decides,” Shinde said. Sources indicate that Fadnavis is now the likely candidate for Chief Minister, with the formula for two deputy CM positions expected to be implemented.
While Shinde’s Shiv Sena party has vocally supported his continued leadership, he denied any disappointment over the possible loss of the position, emphasizing that there were no issues within the Mahayuti alliance. The decision regarding the new government will be finalized in today’s meeting in Delhi.
Meanwhile, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which suffered a crushing defeat, has criticized the delay in announcing the new Chief Minister. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole claimed that the BJP’s central leadership had pressured Shinde to step aside, while senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat suggested that Shinde may be confused by the unexpected election results.
