Who Will Be Maharashtra’s Next CM? BJP, Shiv Sena in Tug-of-War as Alliance Partners Push for Leadership

Maharashtra’s : A day after the Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory in Maharashtra, the spotlight has shifted to the question of who will take over as the state’s next Chief Minister. With the BJP securing a commanding 132 seats out of 288 in the Maharashtra Assembly, political pressure is building from within the party, with many BJP MLAs advocating for Devendra Fadnavis to step into the CM role. However, the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, is pushing for the continuation of Shinde’s leadership, arguing that the historic mandate was won under his guidance.

BJP’s Dilemma: Silence and Consultation

The BJP has so far maintained a studious silence on the matter, stating that the decision on the CM post will be made by the party’s Central leadership and parliamentary board after consultation with alliance partners, including Shiv Sena and NCP. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule emphasized that there would be “adequate consultation” to ensure a smooth government formation process.

Shiv Sena’s Case for Eknath Shinde

Shiv Sena, which emerged as a key ally in the Mahayuti alliance, is steadfast in its desire to retain Eknath Shinde as the CM. A Shiv Sena leader argued, “Mahayuti fought the Assembly elections under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, and the alliance achieved a historic mandate. The decision should be made in line with the collective will of the alliance.”

Shiv Sena is set to hold a legislature party meeting to elect its leader, which will likely solidify Shinde’s claim to the top post. However, BJP’s growing influence within the alliance and the pressure from its own MLAs complicate this equation.

NCP’s Support for Fadnavis

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), another crucial partner in the alliance, has expressed its willingness to support Fadnavis if the BJP decides to make him the Chief Minister. Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said, “If the BJP makes Fadnavis the CM, we will support it. We have no objection.”

This opens the door for a potential compromise, where Fadnavis could take the reins, with NCP backing his leadership.

The RSS Factor

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which played a vital role in mobilizing support for the BJP during the election campaign, is also believed to be subtly pushing for Fadnavis to be given the CM post. A senior RSS leader indicated that a BJP CM, particularly one with strong administrative experience like Fadnavis, would be beneficial in these challenging times. Fadnavis served as Maharashtra’s CM from 2014-2019 and is viewed favorably by the RSS for his decisive governance.

BJP Insiders Back Fadnavis

Within the BJP, there is growing support for Fadnavis to take over as CM. Senior BJP leader Pravin Darekar stated, “Everybody believes Fadnavis should become CM. He has worked tirelessly as Deputy CM and played a crucial role in ensuring Mahayuti’s victory.”

As the state legislature prepares to convene, there is still ample time for the alliance partners to negotiate and arrive at a consensus. The final decision may depend on the outcome of internal discussions and consultations, with a possible caretaker CM position for Eknath Shinde until a resolution is reached.

Key Takeaways:

• Devendra Fadnavis: BJP MLAs strongly support Fadnavis for CM, citing his experience and the mandate won under BJP’s leadership.
• Eknath Shinde: Shiv Sena leaders push for Shinde’s continuation as CM, arguing that the alliance’s success was due to his leadership.
• NCP’s Neutral Stance: The NCP is open to supporting Fadnavis if the BJP decides to make him CM.
• RSS Influence: The RSS subtly backs Fadnavis, believing his administrative skills and leadership will benefit Maharashtra.