After BJP emerging as the largest party in Maharashtra elections, Devendra Fadnavis’s name is leading in the race for the post of CM, while Eknath Shinde is firmly in control of the CM post and Ajit Pawar camp is also in the race to gain political power. . The way both the allies of BJP have demanded to make their respective leaders the Chief Minister, one thing is clear that the decision of assuming power in the Grand Alliance is not easy.
After winning the political battle of Maharashtra Assembly elections, the process of government formation has accelerated, but even after getting such a big mandate, there is still suspense regarding the post of Chief Minister in the Grand Alliance. After BJP has emerged as the largest party, Devendra Fadnavis’s name is at the forefront in the race for the post of CM, but it is not easy to get the final approval. While Eknath Shinde holds the post of CM, the Ajit Pawar camp is also in the race to gain political power. There is competition for the post of CM between both Shiv Sena and NCP camps.
Since the announcement of Maharashtra election results, separate meetings of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP leaders are going on from Mumbai to Delhi. Along with this, the politics of creating pressure for the post of Chief Minister has also started. Ajit Pawar has been elected leader in the meeting of NCP MLAs. Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal raised the demand to make Ajit Pawar the Chief Minister. At the same time, Shiv Sena MLAs chose Eknath Shinde as their leader and party leader Pratap Sarnaik said that all the MLAs wanted Eknath Shinde to become the Chief Minister.
BJP’s National General Secretary Vinod Tawde says that the current term of Maharashtra Assembly is ending on Tuesday 26th November at 12 midnight. In such a situation, government has to be formed first. All three parties will together decide on the post of CM and we will take a decision on it soon. Both NCP and Shiv Sena are waiting for BJP’s decision to form the government. The way both the allies of BJP have demanded to make their respective leaders the Chief Minister, one thing is clear that the decision of assuming power in the Grand Alliance is not easy.
‘Heroes’ of Mahayuti’s Mahavijay
Mahayuti has got a bumper seat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Mahayuti has created history by winning 230 out of total 288 seats in the Assembly. BJP won 132 seats, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena won 57 seats and Ajit Pawar’s NCP won 41 seats. Apart from this, Mahayuti has the support of 236 MLAs including independents and small parties. The strike rate of BJP was 89 percent, Shiv Sena was 72 percent and NCP was 77 percent. Even after getting such a huge mandate, BJP could not reach any decision. The people of the state are waiting for their Chief Minister. People are also keeping an eye on who will be the new CM of Maharashtra.
Efforts to form a new government have started and a meeting of top BJP leaders was held in Delhi. For the last two days, meetings are going on between top BJP leaders in Delhi, while in Mumbai also meetings of party leaders are going on with MLAs. The process of meeting of MLAs with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is continuing. Apart from this, party’s election in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, Ashwini Vaishnav, Devendra Fadnavis and state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule are continuously holding meetings of the winning MLAs.
A look at the BJP MLA leader
There will be a meeting of the BJP legislature party in Mumbai on Monday, in which the leader of the party legislature party will be elected. Only after this will BJP hold a meeting with Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s party NCP and decide to form the government. Maharashtra is an important state politically and economically. In such a situation, BJP is making every effort to make him its Chief Minister, because despite being the largest party in 2019, he had to be content with the post of Deputy Chief Minister. This time in Maharashtra politics, BJP has been successful in winning the maximum number of seats, due to which its claim on the post of CM is being considered the strongest.
The credit for BJP’s excellent performance in Maharashtra is being given to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Devendra Fadnavis became the Chief Minister in 2014 and ran the government for five years. Took oath as Chief Minister again in 2019, but had to resign after four days. This time, Fadnavis played a key role in the way Maharashtra’s electoral fortunes changed in the five months after its defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Therefore, the possibility of Fadnavis becoming CM is being expressed.
Before Devendra Fadnavis, Manohar Joshi, being a Brahmin, had become CM from Shiv Sena, but due to being Maratha and OBC, BJP can also surprise. In 2019, Fadnavis’s hopes of becoming CM were dashed due to the unity of Maratha leaders. Apart from this, Modi-Shah often surprise with their decisions. Only last year it was found in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Fadnavis’s name is also running for BJP. In such a situation, it remains to be seen whether BJP selects Fadnavis or approves a new name.
Will Eknath Shinde leave the chair?
Before the Maharashtra election results, Eknath Shinde had kept himself out of the CM race. During the elections, he had said that this time he is not in the race for CM, but after getting good seats in the results, now he is putting himself in the race again. Since CM Eknath Shinde has managed to win the real Shiv Sena battle against Uddhav Thackeray in the elections, his party leaders are not ready to step down from the post of CM. After being elected the leader of Shiv Sena Legislature Party, Eknath Shinde thanked all his MLAs and remained silent on the Chief Minister’s question, but his party has started vigorous lobbying.
Supporters of Eknath Shinde say that Shinde has performed well in the first innings, hence he should get another chance. Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik said that all the MLAs want Eknath Shinde to become the Chief Minister. Apart from this, Shiv Sena leaders Naresh Musk, Sanjay Shirsat and Deepak Kesarkar said that they want their leader to become the Chief Minister. In such a situation, Shiv Sena leaders and MLAs have started openly claiming to make Eknath Shinde the CM and they say that the election was fought on his face. Shinde has been handed over the command of Maharashtra after his two and a half year tenure, making him a contender.
Ajit Pawar is also showing strength
Despite parting ways with Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar has finally proved his political capability. Ajit Pawar’s party has proved that the real NCP is his by winning 41 out of 59 seats in his quota. Ajit Pawar was elected the leader of the NCP legislature party on Sunday. NCP has started voting to make Ajit Pawar the CM. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said that Ajit Pawar should be made the Chief Minister of Maharashtra because his strike rate is very good. All the party MLAs also want Ajit Pawar to lead the assembly.
NCP may be claiming the post of CM, but Ajit Pawar may agree to the post of Deputy CM. Ajit Pawar will also be seen agreeing to make him the CM of BJP. NCP and Shinde camp are keeping an eye on who is chosen as the leader of the BJP legislature party. Only after this any decision has to be taken regarding the CM. It is believed that all three parties will sit and take a decision, but will Shinde agree to become the CM of BJP?