As Maharashtra eagerly awaits the counting of votes for the 2024 assembly elections on November 23, tensions are escalating within both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over who will hold the coveted position of chief minister. Both alliances are engaged in a fierce battle, with their leaders openly vying for the top spot, highlighting deep internal divisions.

The conclusion of polling on Wednesday has set the stage for intense political jockeying, as both Mahayuti and MVA leaders assert their claims to the chief minister’s chair despite the outcome still being uncertain.

MVA’s Chief Ministerial Conflict

The MVA is grappling with a leadership dispute within its ranks. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole ignited a firestorm by declaring that if the MVA were to form the government, it would be led by Congress. “The voting trends indicate Congress will win the highest number of seats,” Patole boldly stated, which sparked a backlash from MVA ally Shiv Sena (UBT). Senior leader Sanjay Raut quickly responded, emphasizing that the decision on who would be the chief minister would be a collective one made by all alliance partners. “If the Congress high command has decided that Patole will be the CM, then leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, or Rahul Gandhi should announce it officially,” Raut remarked.

This public dispute highlights growing friction within the MVA, which has often projected itself as a united opposition force against the ruling Mahayuti. However, Patole’s comments have exposed vulnerabilities in the alliance’s cohesion.

Mahayuti’s CM Controversy

On the other side, the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), BJP, and smaller allies, is also grappling with competing claims for the chief minister’s post. Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat reiterated that the election had been fought under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, positioning him as the natural choice for CM. However, BJP leader Pravin Darekar has publicly thrown his weight behind Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, further complicating the matter. NCP leader Amol Mitkari, meanwhile, has voiced support for his party chief Ajit Pawar for the role of CM.

Darekar dismissed any possibility of the MVA forming the government and downplayed the significance of the exit polls, stating that independent candidates would likely support the Mahayuti coalition. He also aimed the MVA for its internal divisions, citing incidents such as Congress MP Praniti Shinde’s support for an independent candidate in Solapur, undermining Shiv Sena (UBT) prospects.

Exit Polls and Allegations

While most exit polls predict a Mahayuti victory, there are also predictions in favor of the MVA. Darekar, however, dismissed these surveys, arguing that the exit polls are inaccurate and that independent winners would align with the ruling coalition. He further leveled severe allegations against MVA leaders, including NCP MP Supriya Sule and Congress’s Nana Patole, accusing them of using illicit methods, such as bitcoins, to fund their election campaigns. Both leaders have denied these claims.

Surge in Voter Turnout and Women Voters’ Support

The Election Commission reported a notable increase in voter turnout, with 66.05% of voters casting their ballots, up from 61.1% in 2019. Darekar credited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for galvanizing voters at the grassroots level and driving the surge in participation. He also pointed to the Mahayuti alliance’s growing popularity among women voters, attributing it to the success of government schemes like the Ladki Bahin Yojana, aimed at improving women’s welfare.

With both alliances engaged in a bitter war of words and internal tensions rising ahead of the results, the fight for Maharashtra’s top political post is expected to be one of the most closely watched in recent history. The stakes remain high, and the outcome could have significant implications for the state’s political landscape in the years to come.