BJP keen on making Fadnavis as Maharashtra CM, Shinde garners support of Sena

The suspense surrounding the new Maharashtra Chief Minister continues as the BJP has reiterated its support for Devendra Fadnavis, dismissing the 'Bihar model' proposed by some leaders of its Mahayuti ally, Shiv Sena. These leaders have been advocating for Shinde to return as CM.

While the BJP holds more seats in the state assembly, the NDA coalition is currently in power in Bihar, where JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar serves as CM.

When asked whether a similar situation to Bihar could occur in Maharashtra, BJP spokesperson Prem Shukla emphasized that the party had a stronger organizational base and leadership, ruling out such an outcome.

Shukla explained that the BJP had fulfilled its commitment made during the Bihar campaign to appoint Nitish Kumar as CM. However, he stressed that the continuation of Shinde as CM after the Maharashtra elections was not a commitment made by the BJP.

According to Shukla, the BJP's senior leadership had repeatedly stated during the election process that a decision regarding the chief ministerial candidate would be made after the election results were announced.

Shiv Sena spokesperson and Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske, who had earlier mentioned the "Bihar model," insisted that Shinde should remain CM.

“We believe Shinde should be the Chief Minister, similar to how the BJP did not focus on numbers in Bihar but still made JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar the Chief Minister. The senior leaders of the Mahayuti in Maharashtra will ultimately decide,” Mhaske said.

However, it is believed that the BJP leadership was not pleased with Shinde's supporters using "pressure tactics" to push for his reappointment.

In the recent state elections, the Mahayuti coalition—which includes Shiv Sena, BJP, and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar—secured an overwhelming 230 of the 288 Assembly seats.

The BJP won 132 seats, the Shiv Sena 57, and the NCP 41. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) secured just 46 seats, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) winning 20, Congress 10, and the NCP (led by Sharad Pawar) 10.

Despite the BJP emerging as the single largest party after the elections, speculation was rife that Fadnavis, a former CM who had been the BJP’s face during the campaign, would be reappointed.

However, due to the success of the Mahayuti government’s initiatives, particularly the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which played a major role in the alliance's victory, Shiv Sena has insisted that Shinde remain in office.

The NCP, under Ajit Pawar, has also pushed for Fadnavis to return as chief minister. Fadnavis had served as CM from 2014 to 2019.

Eknath Shinde resigned as CM on Nov 26, and Governor CP Radhakrishnan invited him to serve as interim CM until a new government was formed. This was necessary due to the expiration of the Maharashtra Assembly’s term on Nov 26.

The BJP has stated it will wait to announce its chief ministerial candidate until the new government's portfolio distribution is finalized, according to party sources.

“The central leadership is not in a rush to announce a chief ministerial candidate. We have secured a decisive mandate, and our priority now is to develop a comprehensive plan for government formation. This includes finalizing ministerial portfolios and assigning key posts such as district guardian ministers,” said a state BJP leader.

“The careful approach is meant to avoid friction among coalition partners,” he added.

While acknowledging the "practical limitations," NCP president Sunil Tatkare suggested that Ajit Pawar should be appointed CM.

“We are realistic and should not daydream. I feel that Ajit Pawar should be the chief minister, but there are practical limitations before us. Last time, when the NDA formed the government, Eknath Shinde was made chief minister because the situation was different,” Tatkare said.

He also mentioned that the Mahayuti would make a decision on the chief ministerial post in the next day or two. “There is no confusion. Obviously, an NDA Chief Minister will be appointed in Maharashtra,” he added.

Tatkare credited the success of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP to the leadership of Shinde and the policies of his government.

“There was definitely an undercurrent in favor of Ajit Pawar. The Ladki Bahin Yojana was a key factor in the alliance’s success. People have come to accept that Ajit Pawar is the true leader of the NCP. After the Lok Sabha results, our workers were demoralized, but we worked hard to achieve these results,” Tatkare said.