Cyclone Mahayuti swept through Maharashtra, but this time, it refers to the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition’s record-breaking victory in the assembly elections. With all eyes on the Chief Minister’s post, speculation is rife about who will lead the state next.
Elected MLAs have begun gathering in Mumbai to decide the leader of the assembly party, who will eventually take the Chief Minister’s seat. Mahayuti leaders have directed all victorious MLAs to head to Mumbai, where BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP factions plan to hold separate meetings today.
After selecting the assembly party leader, three senior Mahayuti leaders will consult the BJP high command to finalize the Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony is set for Monday at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis dismissed speculations about disputes over the Chief Minister’s post. He clarified that leaders from BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP would jointly decide. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena, in an online meeting yesterday, authorized Eknath Shinde to make key decisions.
The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition achieved a landslide victory, securing 230 of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra assembly. BJP alone bagged 132 seats, Shiv Sena 57, and NCP 41, while the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) managed only 46 seats.