Who will be the Chief Minister of Maharashtra? Earlier it has already been decided which party will be the Chief Minister. Because Eknath Shinde made it clear on Wednesday that he will accept the BJP Chief Minister. After this, now Fadnavis’ claim on the CM’s presidency is considered solid. However, it cannot be ruled out that the name of a new contender in the BJP may be mentioned at the last minute.
Eknath Shinde, who became Chief Minister thanks to the sacrifice of Devendra Fadnavis 2 years ago, will the BJP give up its claim to the Chief Minister’s post? Everyone’s eyes were on this. Because after the victory, Eknath Shinde’s people continued to demand the post of Chief Minister. Seeing this, it seemed that convincing Eknath Shinde could prove to be a difficult task for the BJP. But Shinde himself eased the way for the BJP by holding a press conference on Wednesday.
Eknath Shinde was the caretaker Chief Minister of Maharashtra while speaking to the media in Thane. Devendra Fadnavis was in Nagpur at that time. Fadnavis is believed to be formally elected leader at the MLA meeting to be held in Mumbai on November 29. However, this has not yet been formally approved. But it is certain that after Shinde’s withdrawal from the race for the Chief Minister’s post, now someone else from the Shiv Sena can become the Deputy Chief Minister under the formula of CM and two deputy CMs. But will Eknath Shinde move from the post of Chief Minister to the post of Deputy CM like Devendra Fadnavis? This is a great question.
All three Mahayuti leaders to meet Amit Shah
Now all eyes are on Delhi. Where the three Mahayuti leaders will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday. It is believed that the name of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be formally discussed in this meeting. And after this the Mahayuti will announce it. Ajit Pawar has also indicated that the prime ministerial candidate is likely to be announced on November 30 or December 1.
Will Fadnavis take oath as CM for the third time?
Fadnavis is the second leader from Maharashtra to have completed a five-year term as Chief Minister. Fadnavis was CM for five days in 2019. In such a situation, if he comes back after five years and there is no last-minute reversal like last time, then it will be a very special moment in the political history of Maharashtra.
Let us tell you that in 2014, Devendra Fadnavis became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the first time. Then in 2019, Devendra Fadnavis surprised everyone by taking oath as CM on November 23 at 8 am But a big political game took place in Maharashtra and Uddhav Thackeray became CM. In 2022, politics again unfolded in Maharashtra and this time Eknath Shinde became CM and Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Deputy CM. But this time, will Devendra Fadnavis take oath as CM again? This will become clear in the coming days.
Doubts dispelled by Eknath Shinde’s statement: Fadnavis
Now Devendra Fadnavis’ reaction to Shinde’s statement has also come to light. On the claims of Shinde’s candidature for the CM post, he said: “There has never been any difference of opinion between us in our Mahayuti. We have always taken decisions together and had said before the elections that after the elections we will take decisions collectively. Some people had doubts about what Eknath Shinde has made clear today that we will meet our leaders and take decisions.”
Will support BJP’s decision: Eknath Shinde
Addressing a press conference, Eknath Shinde said, “Yesterday I called up Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah and asked them to decide (who will be the PM) and assured them that whatever decision they take, I will follow it. Sena will fully support the BJP’s decision to appoint the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. “There is no obstruction on our part.”
Asked if he was disappointed at not getting a second term, Shinde said: “There is no such thing. You must remember that the BJP had supported my tenure as chief minister. Amit Bhai in Delhi yesterday. There will be a meeting with (Shah) and all related decisions will be finalized at the meeting in Delhi. I once again thank the people and voters of Maharashtra for this spectacular victory in the recent assembly elections.”
Why did Shinde back down?
After the results were announced on November 23, speculation about the next Chief Minister intensified. Along with Shiv Sena and NCP, BJP also started making claims about the CM. Shiv Sena and the NCP also put pressure on politics by electing the leader of their legislative party. But first the NCP and now the Shiv Sena are on the defensive.
In reality, Mahayuti has 230 seats in the 288 assembly. In this, the BJP alone has won 132 seats, 13 seats short of the majority. If sources are to be believed, when the BJP crossed 110 seats, the Shiv Sena and the NCP began to realize that their hold on the Chief Minister’s post had weakened.
At the same time, attempts were made to create pressure on the Maratha face of Eknath Shinde. But the way the BJP got votes from each section also helped break this narrative. Fadnavis had failed to become CM in 2019 and 2022. They are also benefiting from this.
