BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is leading in the race to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. If this happens then he will take oath as Chief Minister for the third time. At the same time, a report has claimed that a source in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh confirmed that the power-sharing formula between BJP and Shiv Sena has been finalized. Fadnavis will serve as the chief minister for the first two and a half years, after which Eknath Shinde will take over the role for the remaining term.
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Once Fadnavis steps down as chief minister, he is expected to be appointed national president of the BJP. The report suggests that this arrangement has been agreed upon after discussions between RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, PM Modi and the central leadership of BJP. The decision to appoint Fadnavis as chief minister is said to be influenced by his ability to maintain smooth coordination between the BJP and the RSS. If he is given the role of BJP national president before completing his two-and-a-half-year term, a leader like BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde or former state president Chandrakant Patil could step in as chief minister.
At present, discussions are going on in Mahayuti regarding the post of CM in Maharashtra. As the largest party in the alliance, the BJP has staked a strong claim to the chief minister’s post, citing its significant electoral performance. The party achieved an 89% strike rate, surpassing its 2014 numbers, and sees the mandate as a signal to the leadership. Sources reveal that the BJP leadership favors Devendra Fadnavis, whose governance ability and experience can provide stability to the alliance. After being out of power for five years and facing a setback from the political developments of 2019, BJP workers had become demoralized. Securing the post of Chief Minister is considered important to reinvigorate the party’s base.
Eknath Shinde, who led the grand alliance government in the elections, sees this victory as an vindication of his leadership. Shinde has argued that retaining the post of chief minister is necessary to strengthen the Shiv Sena’s hold on MLAs and ensure policy continuity. Shinde has also established himself as a Maratha leader who appeals to the community which is an important vote bank. Losing the post of Chief Minister may weaken his authority and destabilize the Shiv Sena faction led by him.
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Amidst the tussle, Ajit Pawar has emerged as a surprising supporter of BJP’s claim. His support is reportedly driven by his desire for seamless coordination within the alliance and his personal rapport with Devendra Fadnavis. Pawar’s preference for a BJP-led government is also seen as a strategy to balance the growing influence of Eknath Shinde and ensure a more equitable power-sharing arrangement in the alliance.
