Who will be the next Maharashtra Chief Minister—Devendra Fadnavis or Eknath Shinde? This question has dominated discussions among political analysts and voters since the state assembly election results were announced on November 23. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is expected to reveal its choice soon, with a crucial meeting in Delhi on Thursday night involving caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, and Union Minister Amit Shah.
The decision is likely to favor Devendra Fadnavis for the top post. While Shiv Sena leaders have strongly advocated for Shinde to retain the position, he clarified on Wednesday that he has conveyed to PM Modi and Amit Shah his willingness to abide by the BJP’s decision.
A close associate of Shinde suggested on Thursday that he may decline the role of deputy CM in the new government. Shiv Sena MLA and spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat supported this stance, stating, “It does not befit someone who has already served as Chief Minister.” However, Shirsat confirmed Shinde would still play a role in the cabinet.
Shrikant Shinde, Eknath Shinde’s son and an MP, praised his father for upholding “alliance dharma” by prioritizing collective governance over personal ambitions. He commended his father’s trust in PM Modi and Amit Shah and his commitment to Maharashtra’s development above political aspirations.
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BJP-led Mahayuti’s Resounding Victory in Maharashtra
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory in the state assembly elections, winning 230 of the 288 seats. Recovering from setbacks in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats. Shinde’s Shiv Sena won 57, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP claimed 41 seats.
In contrast, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a significant defeat. The Congress secured just 16 seats—one of its worst performances in the state—while Sharad Pawar’s NCP(SP) managed only 10, and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) won 20.
After the electoral triumph, Eknath Shinde resigned as Chief Minister on Tuesday, in line with constitutional protocol. Governor CP Radhakrishnan requested him to continue as caretaker CM until the new government is formed.
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