BJP-led alliance to form govt in Maharashtra on Nov 25, CM to be chosen collectively

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is all set to form the government in Maharashtra on Nov 25 as the term of the current Eknath Shinde government ends on Nov 26.

The incumbent Mahayuti clinched a massive victory by winning over 230 seats in the 288-seat state assembly election, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party, winning 132 out of the 149 seats it contested in the state.

A day after the results, Chief Minister and Shinde Sena leader Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, called for separate meetings with the newly elected MLAs of their respective parties.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s "Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai" message of unity, saying the people rejected the politics of appeasement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the alliance's victory, saying the slogan "Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai" has become the great mantra of India. He further noted that the election verdict was a vote for stability and development.

Modi also slammed the opposition INDIA bloc, saying they did not understand that the people’s thought process had changed.

“They don’t want to accept the truth, and they underestimate the intelligence of voters. The voters don’t want instability; they want nation-first… they don’t like those who dream of kursi-first,” he said.

CM Shinde said the three parties had mutually decided on their seat-sharing arrangement and affirmed that the government formation process would also be done amicably.

BJP leader Fadnavis has emerged as the 'man of the match,' as he is being credited for his party’s impressive victory in the state.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Nov 24 elected party president Ajit Pawar as the leader of the party in the legislative assembly.

Pawar was appointed as the leader of the legislative party, and his colleague Anil Patil was reappointed as the chief whip during a meeting chaired by the party’s state president and Lok Sabha MP Sunit Tatkare.

The NCP bagged 41 out of the 59 seats it contested and defeated its rival faction, NCP (SP), in 29 seats, according to a PTI report.

After the massive win, all eyes are on the chief minister's post. As the BJP has emerged as the single largest party, the party cadre is hoping for Devendra Fadnavis to take the leadership.

However, another faction of the party supports incumbent CM Eknath Shinde while suggesting Fadnavis succeed BJP president JP Nadda.

"This election was fought under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, and a good result came. As we love Eknath Shinde, we also love Devendra Fadnavis in the same way. May they continue like this. I expect the swearing-in ceremony to happen on November 25. It should happen in a stadium. Our legislature party meeting will be happening this evening," said Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar.

With less than 48 hours for the tenure of the current state assembly to end, necessitated meetings among leaders of the ruling allies are being held to finalize the name for the chief minister's post.

(With PTI inputs)