The Mahayuti alliance, which won a landslide victory over India Bloc in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, has time till today to decide the face for the post of Chief Minister, failing which President’s rule will be imposed in the state. There is suspense over who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, as the Mahayuti allies – which include Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction and Devendra Fadnavis’s BJP – are yet to reach a consensus.However, President’s rule can be removed immediately.
The Mahayuti alliance won 232 of the 288 assembly seats, with the BJP emerging as the largest party with 132 seats, cementing its strong position in the state. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, could secure only 49 seats.
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After emerging as the largest party in the alliance, BJP wants a Chief Minister from its own party and it also has the support of Ajit Pawar. Meanwhile, Shinde Sena wants Eknath Shinde to remain the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. At the press conference after the victory, Eknath Shinde and his allies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar hailed the alliance’s women-centric Girl Sister Scheme as a “game changer” for their sweeping victory.
However, the joyous atmosphere soon turned tense as a tussle began over who would sit on the chief minister’s chair. Being the largest party in the alliance, the BJP has staked a strong claim for the chief minister’s post, citing its significant electoral performance. The party achieved an 89% strike rate, surpassing its 2014 performance and sees the mandate as a sign of leadership.
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BJP’s claim on the post of Chief Minister
The BJP-led government will be in sync with the party’s long-term strategy to prepare for the 2029 elections, which will boost the morale of workers and ensure administrative control. Sources suggest that the BJP leadership is in favor of Devendra Fadnavis, whose governance credentials and experience can provide stability to the alliance.
After being out of power for five years and facing setbacks from the political developments of 2019, BJP workers are demoralized. Attaining the post of Chief Minister is considered important to re-strengthen the base of the party.
Shinde’s fight to retain the post of Chief Minister
Eknath Shinde, who led the coalition government in the elections, sees this victory as an affirmation of his leadership. Shinde has argued that Shiv Sena retaining the post of Chief Minister is necessary to strengthen its hold on MLAs and ensure policy continuity, especially with key schemes like the Laadli Behan Yojana.
Shinde has also established himself as a Maratha leader who appeals to the community, which is an important vote bank. Losing the post of Chief Minister could reduce his authority and lead to instability in the Shiv Sena faction led by him.
Retaining the post of Chief Minister strengthens internal unity, streamlines the management of MLAs, and strengthens efforts to counter opposition forces like the UBT.
Ajit Pawar’s support for BJP’s Chief Minister
Amid this tussle, Ajit Pawar has emerged as a surprise supporter of the BJP’s claim. His support is reportedly driven by his desire for seamless coordination within the alliance and his personal rapport with Devendra Fadnavis.
Pawar’s preference for a BJP-led government is also seen as a strategy to balance the growing influence of Eknath Shinde and ensure a more equitable power-sharing arrangement in the alliance.
what will happen next
With the leadership question looming over the Mahayuti alliance, high-level meetings are expected to be held today to resolve the impasse. The results will not only shape the immediate political landscape of Maharashtra but will also impact the stability of the alliance ahead of the 2029 general elections.
