Speculation Grows Over Chief Minister’s Post After BJP’s Victory

Speculation Over Maharashtra’s Next Chief Minister: Will Devendra Fadnavis Be the Compromise Candidate Between BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP?

Ever since the state elections where the BJP, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, won a commanding 132 out of 288 seats, the political landscape of Maharashtra is abuzz with speculations of who would take the top seat as Chief Minister. Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, managed 57, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 41 seats- leaving much discussion over the future leadership of the state.

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While the BJP’s strong performance has raised questions about the chief ministerial candidate, both the Shiv Sena and NCP acknowledge the BJP’s magnanimity in making Eknath Shinde the Chief Minister, despite the Sena having only 40 MLAs in the outgoing government. This gesture has not gone unnoticed within political circles, with the NCP especially noting that the BJP’s 132-seat majority warrants the post of Chief Minister. According to reports in The Times of India, the leaders of NCP think that because the BJP has a dominant position in the election, it should be benefited if the CM post is given to that party.

However, the situation is not a simple one; after all, both the Shiv Sena and NCP have a stake in getting the CM post for their parties. The ongoing talk of leadership portrays an intricate relationship within the Mahayuti (grand alliance) and what each party wants to achieve. Although it is definitely valid that the victory by the BJP assumes a huge role in the discussion, the inner workings within the alliance add further complexities to the decision-making process.

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Fadnavis is the one who is most likely to be the Chief Minister, especially since his leadership may reduce the friction or factionalism that might erupt in the alliance. Both Shiv Sena and NCP cadres have high expectations regarding the CM position. Particularly, NCP has always been vociferous about having one of their own as Chief Minister. When Sharad Pawar won at Baramati, NCP activists were claiming that Ajit Pawar should be appointed Chief Minister. It shows the party’s inner will for leadership. Again, Ajit Pawar has often shown his desire to be Chief Minister as he has occupied the post of Deputy Chief Minister five times so far.

It is because of these conflicting interests that a way forward that would satisfy both parties would be the continuation of Chief Minister Fadnavis. His leadership would not only bring about some stability but also work as a compromise because it would avoid infighting between Shiv Sena and NCP. Both were two parties with powerful interests over the CM post as factions within their respective parties. Thus, Fadnavis seems the most pragmatic choice, providing a midway path that would ensure an apparently cohesive alliance while satisfying the key stakeholders in the coalition.

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