The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, has secured a resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, clinching 232 out of 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats, cementing its position as a dominant force in the state.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—comprising the Congress, Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena—suffered a crushing defeat, managing to secure only 49 seats.
At a post-victory press briefing, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, attributed the alliance’s success to their women-centric Ladli Bahin Yojana, describing it as a decisive factor in winning over voters. However, celebrations quickly gave way to discord as a tussle over the chief minister’s position emerged within the alliance.
The BJP, as the largest party in the alliance, has strongly staked its claim to the chief minister’s post, citing its stellar electoral performance, including an 89% strike rate and surpassing its 2014 seat tally. Party sources suggest that Devendra Fadnavis is the frontrunner, given his governance experience and the BJP’s long-term strategy to strengthen its cadre and administrative control ahead of the 2029 elections.
For the BJP, regaining the chief minister’s position is critical after five years out of power, which left its base demoralised. Securing the top role would reinvigorate party workers and solidify the BJP’s leadership within the coalition.
Eknath Shinde, who led the Mahayuti government into the elections, views the victory as an endorsement of his leadership. He has argued that retaining the chief minister’s position is essential to maintain the loyalty of Shiv Sena MLAs and ensure continuity in flagship initiatives like the Ladli Bahin Yojana.
Shinde’s position as a Maratha leader also adds weight to his claim, as losing the post could weaken his standing within the community and destabilise his Shiv Sena faction. Retaining the chief ministership would strengthen internal unity and bolster the party’s efforts to counter opposition forces.
Amid the leadership tussle, Ajit Pawar has unexpectedly backed the BJP’s claim to the top post, reportedly favouring a BJP-led government for smoother coordination within the coalition. Sources suggest that his preference is also a strategic move to counterbalance Eknath Shinde’s growing influence and ensure an equitable power-sharing arrangement.
The leadership deadlock is expected to dominate high-level discussions in the coming days. The outcome will not only shape Maharashtra’s immediate governance but also influence the alliance’s stability and strategy for the 2029 general elections.
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