New Delhi: In a high-stakes meeting held on Thursday night, Maharashtra’s outgoing chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and Union home minister Amit Shah gathered to discuss the formation of the next government in the state. The meeting, which also included BJP president JP Nadda, came in the wake of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections.
The coalition secured 230 seats in the 288-member assembly, with the BJP claiming 132, Shiv Sena winning 57, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP garnering 41 seats. The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a massive setback, with Congress managing just 16 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) securing 20, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) winning only 10 seats.
Shinde reiterates commitment to alliance’s unity
Fadnavis, widely regarded as the frontrunner for the chief minister’s post, expressed gratitude to Shah for his guidance during the election campaign. “Honoured to meet Amitbhai Shah and J P Nadda ji to discuss the path forward for Maharashtra’s governance,” Fadnavis posted on X, sharing photos of the meeting.
Outgoing chief minister Eknath Shinde reiterated his commitment to the alliance’s unity, stating he would abide by any decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. “If my presence is an obstacle to government formation, I am ready to step aside,” Shinde said. He also underscored his dedication to “alliance dharma”, prioritising collective leadership over personal ambition.
Critical role of caste equations in Maharashtra
Shinde, however, clarified that he is unlikely to accept the deputy chief minister’s role in the new dispensation, according to Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat. Instead, his party will nominate another leader for the position, signalling a reshuffle within the alliance.
The race for the chief minister’s post remains intense, with political observers pointing to the critical role of caste equations in Maharashtra. While Fadnavis, a Brahmin leader, has served as chief minister twice before, the BJP is also considering leaders from OBC and Maratha communities to balance social dynamics.
The meeting, which lasted over an hour, reportedly focused on ministerial allocations for BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP leaders. Another round of discussions is scheduled in Mumbai, with the final decision on the chief minister expected before December 2. Leaders of the Mahayuti alliance expressed confidence in resolving leadership questions amicably. “In our alliance, decisions are made collectively. We will soon announce our leader,” Fadnavis assured reporters.
