Maharashtra Chief Minister Post: Eknath Shinde Resigns, Will BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis Become the Next CM?
Eknath Shinde, the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra, resigned today, submitting his resignation letter to the Governor of Maharashtra, Radhakrishna. This resignation comes as the term of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is coming to an end today, raising questions about who will take over the post of the next Chief Minister. In the midst of this political suspense, it has been reported that Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP is seeking the Governor’s permission to form the government.
Maha Yuti Alliance Victory and Challenges
In the recent Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, the Maha Yuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar, achieved a historic victory. The alliance won a total of 230 out of 288 seats, well above the majority mark of 145 seats. Among these, BJP won 132 seats, Shiv Sena (led by Shinde) won 57, and NCP won 41. Despite the victory, the issue of who will hold the Chief Minister’s post has led to a prolonged deadlock.
The BJP, having won the most seats, is keen on keeping the Chief Minister’s position for itself, while Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena has refused to give up the post, causing friction within the alliance.
Ongoing Suspense Over the CM’s Post
The suspense around the Chief Minister’s post continues as both BJP and Shiv Sena factions are unable to come to a clear decision on the matter. While BJP leaders insist that Devendra Fadnavis should take over as Chief Minister, Shiv Sena supporters stand firm that Eknath Shinde should retain the position, arguing that he is the rightful leader given the support of their faction.
In a parallel development, Devendra Fadnavis, along with Ajit Pawar, has expressed support for Shinde, but both parties are not willing to give up the Chief Minister’s post. Amid these tensions, Fadnavis flew to Delhi, reportedly to hold discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah about resolving the delay in forming a new government in Maharashtra.
Shinde’s Resignation and Next Steps
Today marks the end of the 14th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s term. With Shinde’s resignation, a new government must be formed soon, and it is expected that a decision will be reached swiftly. In the meantime, it has been reported that Devendra Fadnavis will meet the Governor today to seek permission to form the new government. Fadnavis had previously attended the wedding of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s daughter in Delhi but had not met anyone regarding the Chief Minister’s issue during his visit.
Political Alignments and Final Decision
The ongoing political impasse in Maharashtra has sparked debates about who will finally assume the post of Chief Minister. Despite the BJP and Shiv Sena’s coalition victory, the internal conflict between the two factions over the leadership role continues. The decision regarding the next Chief Minister is expected to come soon, but the political drama surrounding it will likely continue to unfold.
In conclusion, while the political landscape in Maharashtra remains in flux, all eyes are on whether Devendra Fadnavis will finally take the post of Chief Minister or if Eknath Shinde will manage to retain the role. The coming days will reveal how this intense political scenario plays out.
