Maharashtra: Fadnavis or Shinde? Who Will Rule as CM Decision day looms in Delhi while alliance sparks buzz

Maharashtra News: The suspense over who will lead Maharashtra as its next chief minister continues, with political discussions intensifying after the assembly election results were declared on November 23. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is on the brink of finalizing its choice, as caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened in Delhi on Thursday night. Speculations strongly favor Devendra Fadnavis for the position, despite persistent calls from Shiv Sena leaders advocating for Shinde to retain the post.

Shinde, however, has publicly stated his willingness to abide by the BJP’s decision. On Wednesday, he emphasized his commitment to "alliance dharma," expressing unwavering trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. "I have conveyed to the Prime Minister and Amit Shah that I will support their choice for chief minister," Shinde reportedly said.

Shinde’s Role in the New Government

While reports suggest Shinde is unlikely to accept the deputy chief minister’s position, his involvement in the cabinet is considered certain. Sanjay Shirsat, a Shiv Sena MLA and spokesperson, remarked, "He is unlikely to be a deputy chief minister. It does not befit a person who has already served as chief minister." Meanwhile, Shinde’s son, MP Shrikant Shinde, praised his father for prioritizing collective governance over personal ambition, describing him as a model of alliance politics.

BJP-Led Mahayuti's Resounding Victory

The Mahayuti alliance delivered a decisive win in the assembly elections, securing 230 out of 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest contributor with 132 victories, followed by Shinde’s Shiv Sena with 57 seats and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction with 41. This triumph marks a significant recovery for the BJP after its earlier setbacks in Maharashtra’s Lok Sabha polls.

MVA Suffers Major Losses

The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) faced a severe blow, with the Congress winning only 16 seats—a dismal performance in the state’s electoral history. Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) managed just 10 seats, while Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) won 20.

Following the alliance's electoral success, Shinde resigned as Chief Minister on Tuesday in accordance with constitutional protocols. Governor CP Radhakrishnan has requested him to continue in a caretaker capacity until the new government is formed.