"Who Will Be Maharashtra's Next Chief Minister? Insights from Devendra Fadnavis"

 The big question following the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's stunning victory in Maharashtra's 2024 Assembly elections is this: who will lead the state as Chief Minister?

Who become the C M of Maharashtra 

While on paper, it appears to be a direct contest between BJP's Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde of the Shinde Sena, the BJP has been known to spring surprises. Most notably, in Madhya Pradesh last year, an unexpected leader was chosen for the top post despite the veteran Shivraj Singh Chouhan leading the party to victory.

On Saturday, Devendra Fadnavis, who has held the Chief Ministerial post twice before, addressed the media about this pressing issue. Fadnavis revealed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had instructed the alliance leaders to hold consultations before deciding the next Chief Minister.

“There will be no dispute about who will be the Chief Minister. It was decided from day one that, after the election, the leaders of the three parties will sit together and decide,” Fadnavis said, assuring that the decision will be acceptable to all stakeholders.

Outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde echoed this sentiment, stating, "The same way we fought the elections together, we will sit together and decide on the leadership."

Eknath Shinde 

However, the road ahead may not be without hurdles. Shinde’s pivotal role in leading his faction of the Shiv Sena to ally with the BJP in 2022, a move that caused Uddhav Thackeray’s government to collapse, still makes him a strong contender.

The BJP’s Options:

1. Fadnavis vs Shinde: A direct face-off between Fadnavis and Shinde seems most likely, but the BJP’s alliance with Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, which has 40 seats, complicates the equation.

Devendra Fadnavis

2. Ajit Pawar’s Role: Pawar, currently Deputy Chief Minister, may be content with retaining his position, allowing the BJP to select a Chief Minister.

Ajit Pawar 

3. An Unexpected Candidate: The BJP may go off-script and choose a relatively unknown leader, similar to its decision in Madhya Pradesh.

The BJP’s remarkable performance, falling just short of a majority without the Shinde Sena’s support, mirrors the 2019 elections. Then, the BJP needed an ideological partner to form the government.

The question remains: will Shinde use this as leverage to push for his leadership again, or will the BJP chart an entirely new path?

Highlight :

1. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secures a major win in Maharashtra Assembly elections.

2. Fadnavis and Shinde are top contenders, but surprises may be in store.

3. Decision to be made after consultations among alliance leaders.

4. Shinde’s past contributions may influence the outcome.