Maharashtra Politics: BJP to Lead as Chief Minister, Amid Speculations and Delays
Amid lingering suspense over Maharashtra’s Chief Ministerial position, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Saturday clarified that the Chief Minister will hail from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Pawar also confirmed that the Deputy Chief Minister positions would be shared between Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and his own faction of the NCP.
During a media interaction, Pawar referenced the recent meeting in Delhi among the Mahayuti alliance leaders, stating:
“It was decided that the Mahayuti will form the government with the Chief Minister from the BJP, and the remaining two parties will have Deputy Chief Ministers. This is not unprecedented. If you recall, in 1999, government formation also took nearly a month.”
Mahayuti’s Resounding Victory
The Mahayuti alliance—comprising BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction)—secured a commanding victory in the recent Maharashtra elections, winning 230 of the 288 seats in the state assembly. The BJP emerged as the dominant player with 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 57 and the NCP with 41.
Amid this electoral triumph, the delay in announcing the Chief Minister has fueled speculation and debates. Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mahayuti government is slated for December 5, 2024, at 5 PM at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the event, described by Bawankule as “a moment of pride for the world.”
Leadership Conundrum
The delay in announcing the Chief Minister comes amid competing demands from alliance members. Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s unexpected trip to his hometown in Satara postponed crucial discussions on portfolio allocation. While Shinde dismissed rumors of dissatisfaction, reports suggest he is eyeing significant portfolios, including the Home Ministry, alongside the Deputy Chief Minister’s position.
Uday Samant, a close ally of Shinde, clarified the leader’s stance:
“He isn’t upset. He is unwell. It’s wrong to assume otherwise. Shinde ji is committed to the state’s development and will abide by the alliance’s decisions.”
Samant also mentioned that 60 MLAs from Shinde’s faction have expressed their wish for him to become Deputy Chief Minister. However, the final decision remains in Shinde’s hands.
BJP’s Firm Stand
The BJP, however, appears resolute in its decision to appoint Devendra Fadnavis as the next Chief Minister. Fadnavis, a seasoned leader, is seen as a stabilizing force for the alliance. Eknath Shinde has assured his support for the alliance’s decisions, emphasizing that he will follow the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
What’s Next?
With the swearing-in ceremony just days away, all eyes are on the Mahayuti leadership to resolve outstanding issues and present a unified front. The alliance’s ability to balance power-sharing dynamics while delivering on its electoral promises will set the tone for the new government’s term.
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