Maharashtra CM Decision Still Pending as Mahayuti Alliance Partners Negotiate
More than 48 hours after Mahayuti's victory in Maharashtra, the new Chief Minister remains undecided. Shiv Sena pushes for Eknath Shinde, while BJP and NCP continue discussions on leadership.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has traveled to Delhi to hold discussions with BJP leadership regarding the formation of the government.
Over 48 hours have passed since the Mahayuti alliance's landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, yet the decision on the next Chief Minister remains uncertain.
The delay in forming the new government is due to ongoing negotiations within the alliance over who will take the top post. The BJP secured 132 seats, Shiv Sena won 57, and the NCP bagged 41 seats in the 288-member assembly.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has traveled to Delhi to hold discussions with BJP leadership regarding the formation of the government.
One of the key points of contention is Shiv Sena’s push for Eknath Shinde to remain as Chief Minister. A spokesperson for Shiv Sena has referred to the Bihar model, where the BJP made Nitish Kumar the CM despite not having a majority, to argue that Shinde should retain the role.
Ajit Pawar, also a Deputy Chief Minister, dismissed the idea of a fixed power-sharing formula. He stated that the three alliance partners would make a collective decision regarding the CM post.
In the midst of the negotiations, BJP leaders Ram Satpute and Suresh Dhas have raised accusations of sabotage within their own party. Satpute lost his seat to NCP's Uttamrao Jankar, while Dhas won by a significant margin.
Adding to the political drama, Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece *Saamana* criticized Eknath Shinde for failing to honor his previous promise to leave politics if any of the rebel MLAs lost in the elections.
