Maharashtra Government Formation: Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis-Pawar In Focus - Top Development

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde resigned from his post on November 26, 2024, following the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s sweeping victory in the state assembly elections. Shinde submitted his resignation to Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, accompanied by his deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. The resignation came as the term of the current assembly ended, and Shinde will continue to serve as the caretaker CM until a new government is formed.

Mahayuti’s Landslide Victory

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a resounding win in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, clinching 230 out of 288 seats. The alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Ajit Pawar, overcame the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The BJP emerged as the dominant force, winning 132 seats, while Shinde’s Shiv Sena won 57 and NCP secured 41 seats.

MVA's Disappointing Performance

The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which had previously governed the state, suffered a crushing defeat. Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) won only 20 seats, Congress bagged 16, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SCP) managed just 10 seats. This marked one of the worst showings for the MVA coalition in recent years.

Speculation Over New Chief Minister

With Mahayuti’s resounding victory, the question of who will take over as the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra remains unresolved. While Eknath Shinde’s supporters are pushing for his continuation as CM, many BJP leaders have expressed support for Devendra Fadnavis, citing the BJP’s record-breaking performance in the elections. The delay in announcing the new CM has fueled intense speculation about whether Fadnavis or Shinde will occupy the top post.

Pressure Builds for BJP to Choose a CM from Its Ranks

As the victorious alliance moves toward government formation, BJP MLAs are reportedly pressuring the party leadership to nominate one of their own for the chief minister’s post. Many BJP lawmakers have suggested that Devendra Fadnavis, the current Deputy Chief Minister, should take over, given the BJP’s dominant performance in securing 132 seats.

What’s Next for Maharashtra’s Leadership?

While the power struggle between the factions continues, the final decision on Maharashtra's next Chief Minister will be critical to the state’s political landscape. Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction is confident that the incumbent CM should remain in power, highlighting his leadership in guiding Mahayuti to victory. The situation is still unfolding, with Maharashtra’s political future hanging in the balance.