Maharashtra CM Appointment: Key Political Developments and Next Steps

As Maharashtra prepares for the formal installation of its new government, the political scene has been set with Devendra Fadnavis poised to take the oath as the state’s new chief minister on December 5. After a closely watched election campaign, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) virtually finalized Fadnavis for the top post, even though outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was a contender.

The BJP’s confirmation of Fadnavis’s appointment was made clear following internal discussions. Fadnavis will be elected as the legislature party leader during a December 2 or 3 meeting. This crucial move follows the resounding victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which won 230 of the 288 assembly seats in the state. Of these, the BJP claimed 132 seats, while its allies, Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), secured 57 and 41 seats, respectively.

Shinde’s Support and Political Dynamics: Despite early speculation surrounding Eknath Shinde’s stance, the Shiv Sena leader has publicly declared his support for Fadnavis’s appointment as the new chief minister. After a brief trip to his native village in Satara, Maharashtra, where he was reportedly unwell, Shinde returned to Mumbai and reiterated his backing for the BJP’s decision. Shinde has also confirmed that discussions about the distribution of key ministerial portfolios are ongoing, including speculation that his son, Shrikant Shinde, could be appointed as the deputy CM.

Shinde’s statement that he and his faction of Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP’s leadership choice has defused potential tensions within the alliance. His willingness to support Fadnavis, who previously served as the CM of Maharashtra, signals unity within the Mahayuti alliance despite some internal rifts.

Alliance Tensions and Criticisms: Not all alliance members are entirely satisfied with the political arrangement. Some Shiv Sena leaders, particularly former Union Minister Raosaheb Danve and MLA Gulabrao Patil, have raised concerns about including Ajit Pawar’s NCP in the alliance. Danve noted that the coalition could have secured even more seats if the BJP and Shiv Sena had contested the elections. Patil echoed this sentiment, claiming that the Shiv Sena-led faction could have won 90-100 seats without the NCP.

These comments have sparked a response from the NCP, with spokesperson Amol Mitkari urging Patil to refrain from making such divisive remarks. Nevertheless, these tensions point to an underlying friction that could impact the functioning of the coalition in the long term.

Key Developments and Next Steps: The government formation process is proceeding swiftly, with the swearing-in ceremony for the new government slated for December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the event, signalling the significance of the occasion for the BJP’s political agenda.

As Fadnavis prepares to take office once again as Maharashtra’s chief minister, the focus will be on how the BJP navigates its internal dynamics and handles the power-sharing arrangements with its allies. The new government will face the challenge of balancing the expectations of its coalition partners while ensuring governance stability and fulfilling the promises made during the election campaign.

In the coming days, attention will turn to the final allocation of key ministerial portfolios and the strategy for managing the state’s political and economic priorities. Given the BJP’s strong mandate, it will be critical for Fadnavis to manage both his party and alliance partners effectively to ensure the success of his government in the crucial months ahead.