The suspense over Maharashtra’s next Chief Minister may end today. The announcement is expected to clarify who will lead the state and take on key responsibilities.
Outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde returned to Mumbai yesterday amid intense speculation about the CM post. He confirmed that the name would be revealed today and pledged his support for decisions by Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah, and BJP President J.P. Nadda.
Meanwhile, the MLA party is set to meet today to elect its leader. The new government is scheduled to take the oath at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, on December 5. Despite weeks since the election results, the Mahayuti alliance has yet to finalize its Chief Minister.
A senior BJP leader revealed that Devendra Fadnavis is the frontrunner for the CM post. He stated that Fadnavis would be formally elected as the party’s assembly leader in a meeting on December 2 or 3.
Earlier, NCP chief Ajit Pawar confirmed that the Chief Minister’s position would go to the BJP. The NCP and Shiv Sena will each hold the Deputy Chief Minister post. Under this arrangement, Ajit Pawar is likely to represent the NCP as Deputy CM, while Shrikant Shinde, Eknath Shinde’s son, may assume the role for Shiv Sena.
The Mahayuti government aims to form a coalition under this established formula, ensuring a balance of power among its key allies.