Mahayuti still mum on chief minister, Maharashtra assembly term ends today

The Mahayuti alliance, which secured a crushing victory over the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra assembly elections, has until today to decide the chief minister’s face, failing which President’s rule will be imposed in the state. The suspense over who will be the next Maharashtra Chief Minister continues as the Mahayuti allies – comprising Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, and Devendra Fadnavis’s BJP – are yet to reach a consensus.
The President’s rule, however, can be revoked immediately.
The Mahayuti alliance won 232 of the 288 assembly seats, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party with 132 seats, reinforcing its dominant position in the state.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, managed to bag only 49 seats.
The BJP wants a chief minister from its party after emerging as the single-largest party in the alliance, and has the backing of Ajit Pawar as well. Meanwhile, Shinde Sena wants Eknath Shinde to continue as the Maharashtra Chief Minister.
In a post-victory press briefing, Eknath Shinde and his deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, hailed the alliance’s women-centric Ladki Bahin Yojana as the “game changer” for their sweeping win. However, the jubilant mood soon gave way to tension as a tussle erupted over who would occupy the chief minister’s chair.
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 tally, and sees the mandate as a signal for leadership.
A BJP-led government would also align with the party’s long-term strategy to prepare for the 2029 elections by bolstering cadre morale and ensuring firm administrative control. Sources indicate that the BJP leadership favours Devendra Fadnavis, whose governance credentials and experience could provide stability to the coalition.
After being out of power for five years and facing setbacks from the 2019 political developments, BJP cadres were left demoralised. Securing the Chief Minister’s position is seen as crucial to reinvigorating the party’s base.
Eknath Shinde, who led the Mahayuti government into the elections, sees the victory as an endorsement of his leadership. Shinde has argued that retaining the Chief Minister’s position is essential for consolidating his hold over Shiv Sena MLAs and ensuring policy continuity, particularly with flagship schemes like Ladli Bahin Yojana.
Shinde has also positioned himself as a Maratha leader, appealing to the community that forms a significant vote bank. Losing the Chief Minister’s post could undermine his authority and destabilise the Shiv Sena faction he leads.
Retaining the Chief Minister’s position strengthens internal unity, streamlines MLA management, and bolsters efforts to counter opposition forces such as the UBT.
Amid the tussle, Ajit Pawar has emerged as a surprising supporter of the BJP’s claim. His backing is reportedly driven by a desire for smoother coordination within the coalition and his personal rapport with Devendra Fadnavis.
Pawar’s preference for a BJP-led government is also seen as a strategy to counterbalance Eknath Shinde’s growing influence and ensure a more equitable power-sharing arrangement in the alliance.
The leadership question now looms over the Mahayuti alliance, with high-level meetings expected today to resolve the deadlock. The outcome will not only shape Maharashtra’s immediate political landscape but also have implications for the alliance’s stability ahead of the 2029 general elections.