The results of the Maharashtra elections were declared on November 23. The ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured a significant victory and a mandate to form the government, winning 233 out of the total 288 assembly seats in the state. The opposition struggles were evident as no party managed to secure the required 29 seats to claim the Leader of the Opposition post. Despite this overwhelming majority, the race for the Chief Minister's seat remains unsettled, with ongoing tensions over who will take the helm in Maharashtra.
Under Eknath Shinde's leadership, the Shiv Sena has laid claim to the Chief Minister's seat, clearly stating that they will not accept the Deputy CM position. Meanwhile, the BJP central leadership has summoned Devendra Fadnavis to Delhi. Devendra Fadnavis announced that leaders of the alliance's three parties would sit together, make a decision, and form the government collaboratively. When asked about the CM position, Fadnavis left without providing a concrete answer. Meanwhile, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar remarked that by the principle of natural justice, it appears likely for BJP to lead with their CM.
Mungantiwar also pointed out the clarity of the mandate and assured that the party was taking its time to plan every detail meticulously. He stated that it was not unusual for forming the government to take time, citing the Congress in Karnataka. He refrained from naming a potential CM, analogizing that one cannot write physics answers in a chemistry exam. The face of this government will be decided by our top leadership sitting in Delhi.
Claims from the Shinde Faction
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Shirsat, under Eknath Shinde's leadership, credited the Mahayuti's spectacular victory to Shinde, asserting that the elections were fought in his name, thus entitling him to the CM seat. Furthermore, Shirsat claimed that Shinde would not accept the Deputy CM position.
Meanwhile, sources within Shiv Sena claim it was pre-decided, prior to the assembly elections, that if Mahayuti gains a majority, the CM would be from Shiv Sena. Meetings held for seat-sharing with top BJP leaders resulted in an understanding that BJP would contest most seats, making the number of seats won irrelevant for government formation - Shinde would be CM.
Demand for a BJP CM
Within the BJP and from other parties in the Mahayuti alliance, there is a demand for a BJP CM. Central minister Ramdas Athawale, just a day ago, insisted on the need for a BJP CM, suggesting that if Eknath Shinde is not inclined to accept the Deputy CM post, a ministerial position at the center should be offered. He went so far as to suggest that if Shinde is unwilling, the BJP should consider partnering with Ajit Pawar to form the government. The prominent Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar has already expressed that if Devendra Fadnavis becomes CM, neither he nor his party would have any objection.
