The Mahayuti government formation in Maharashtra faces delays as caretaker CM Eknath Shinde’s role sparks debate. Explore BJP’s power-sharing strategies and political developments.
Mahayuti Government Formation: Delays, Political Drama, and Key Players
The Mahayuti government formation in Maharashtra continues to face delays, with political intrigue surrounding the role of caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the distribution of power among alliance partners. Despite securing a decisive victory in the recent assembly elections, the BJP-led coalition has struggled to finalize the contours of the new government, leaving the political landscape rife with speculation.
Shinde’s Role: A Roadblock or a Negotiation Tactic?
Eknath Shinde, who played a crucial role in steering the Shiv Sena faction into the BJP-led coalition, has found himself at the center of controversy. Following the Mahayuti’s triumph in securing 230 out of 288 assembly seats, Shinde’s health-related absence has caused multiple key meetings to be postponed.
On Monday, a much-anticipated gathering of the alliance leaders was canceled due to Shinde’s unavailability. Earlier, discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J.P. Nadda, and the alliance’s deputy CMs—Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar—failed to achieve a consensus on power-sharing.
BJP’s Stronghold and Power Dynamics
The BJP emerged as the dominant force in the alliance, winning 132 seats compared to Shiv Sena’s 57 and NCP’s 41. This clear numerical superiority bolsters the BJP’s claim to the chief ministerial position, potentially signaling Devendra Fadnavis’s return to the top job after a five-year hiatus.
Despite BJP’s stronghold, Shiv Sena leaders have actively lobbied for Shinde to retain the CM post, citing pre-election assurances and the Bihar model, where Nitish Kumar maintained his leadership despite his party being outnumbered.
Speculations and Strategic Moves
Four days after the election results, Shinde publicly stated his willingness to step aside, stating he would not obstruct the government formation. However, his party’s subsequent silence on his future role has fueled speculation. Reports indicate the Shiv Sena is pushing for the influential home portfolio, previously held by Fadnavis during Shinde’s tenure.
Adding to the intrigue, Shrikant Shinde, Eknath Shinde’s son, has denied rumors of vying for the deputy CM post. “The news about me being the deputy CM is baseless,” Shrikant clarified, addressing speculation that arose during his father’s brief visit to his native village in Satara.
Timeline of Events in Mahayuti Government Formation
- November 20:
Mahayuti secures a decisive victory with 230 seats, decimating the Maha Vikas Aghadi opposition. - Post-Election Period:
Speculation begins over the power-sharing formula, with BJP staking claim to the CM post. - First Key Meeting:
Shinde, Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar meet in Delhi with Amit Shah and J.P. Nadda but fail to finalize terms. - Postponed Meetings:
Discussions are delayed twice—first due to Shinde’s visit to Satara and then his health-related rest at Thane. - December 4 Deadline:
BJP’s MLAs will meet under central observers Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani to finalize their leader. - December 5:
Oath-taking ceremony planned for the new Mahayuti government.
What Lies Ahead?
As the Mahayuti government formation enters its final stages, several key factors remain at play:
- BJP’s Strategy: With Ajit Pawar backing Devendra Fadnavis for CM, the BJP appears poised to assert dominance in cabinet formation.
- Shiv Sena’s Bargaining Power: The Shiv Sena’s demand for the home portfolio reflects its struggle to maintain relevance within the coalition.
- Eknath Shinde’s Future Role: Whether Shinde retains a significant position or steps aside entirely remains a question of political negotiation.
The BJP has announced that the leader of the Mahayuti coalition will be decided on December 4, a day before the swearing-in ceremony. With multiple stakeholders and vested interests, the final announcement is expected to go down to the wire.
