Mumbai
After registering a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is all set to stake claim to form the government. Senior Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) minister Deepak Kesarkar said that the swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held tomorrow i.e. on Monday. Before the oath taking ceremony, there is a tough fight between BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde for the post of Chief Minister.
According to media reports, only the Chief Minister and his probable deputy will take oath in the swearing-in ceremony. No decision has been taken yet on the names of other ministers included in the cabinet. Apart from this, the final decision regarding the post of CM will be taken only after discussion with the alliance partners. Fadnavis said, “There will be no controversy regarding the Chief Minister. It is decided from day one that after the elections, the leaders of the three parties will take a decision together.” Mahayuti has secured a huge majority by winning 235 out of 288 seats. BJP has strengthened its position as the largest party by winning 132 seats. At the same time, the opposition targeted Shinde for the post of Chief Minister and said that he may have to work under the leadership of Fadnavis.
story of old conflict
There has been a tussle in Maharashtra politics for a long time regarding the post of Chief Minister. In 2019, the alliance of BJP and Shiv Sena broke due to differences over power sharing between Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis. After this, Uddhav Thackeray along with Congress and NCP formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. However, in 2022, Eknath Shinde rebelled against Thackeray and formed the government with the BJP, taking several MLAs with him. Shinde then became the Chief Minister. Later NCP’s Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar and supported the Shinde government.
Impact of “Girl-Sister Scheme”
Welfare schemes like “Girl-Sister Scheme” are believed to have contributed significantly to the big victory of the BJP-led Grand Alliance. This scheme has strengthened the party’s hold among women and youth. Now all eyes are on who will get the post of Chief Minister – Devendra Fadnavis or Eknath Shinde. Maintaining unity within the alliance may prove to be a big challenge for this new government.