Maharashtra CM suspense to end at key NDA meeting today; sources drop big hint

Despite speculation over the CM’s post, both Shinde and Fadnavis had downplayed any internal disputes.

The suspense surrounding the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra is expected to end at a key NDA meeting on Thursday. The meeting, which will be attended by Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena), and Ajit Pawar (NCP), is set to finalise the leadership structure of the newly formed BJP-led Mahayuti government.

As per sources, cited in an NDTV report, the new CM will be from the BJP, with two deputies likely to be chosen from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction and Ajit Pawar's NCP.

The CM suspense

While the new Chief Minister's name has not yet been confirmed, many speculations point towards Fadnavis, who served as the CM between 2014 and 2019, and briefly again in November 2019 after Ajit Pawar's failed rebellion. This is similar to the earlier arrangement where Fadnavis was the CM with Shinde and Pawar as deputies, although now the BJP holds a stronger position following its dominant victory in the Assembly elections.

Will big NDA meet end suspense today? Catch live updates here.

Cabinet distribution

The BJP is expected to allocate 12 cabinet berths to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, including three major portfolios, to compensate for the Shiv Sena's loss of the Chief Minister's post, as per sources cited in another NDTV report. Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP will likely receive nine seats in the cabinet, states the report. With a maximum of 43 ministers allowed in Maharashtra, including the Chief Minister, the BJP is expected to retain half of the cabinet positions for itself.

While Shinde has cleared the deck to appoint a BJP leader as Chief Minister, he is likely to be assigned three key ministries - Urban Development, Public Works Department (PWD), and Water Resources, according to the sources.

No internal disputes: Shinde & Fadnavis

Despite speculation over the CM’s post, both Shinde and Fadnavis had downplayed any internal disputes, stating that all three parties would jointly decide the leadership. Shinde, who resigned as Chief Minister on Wednesday and is currently the caretaker CM, reiterated that he would not be an obstacle to any decision made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the post.

Shinde, addressing the media, stated, "I spoke to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister and assured them that there will be no hindrance from our side," further adding, “Our Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP’s decision to name the next Maharashtra CM. There is no speed breaker from our side".

In response to reports suggesting that he was disappointed over not being reappointed as CM, Shinde firmly rejected the notion. "Nobody is annoyed. We have worked as Mahayuti," said Shinde, who became Chief Minister in June 2022. He stated that there was no issue with not getting a second term, acknowledging that the BJP had supported his tenure as CM.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis, while addressing reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Wednesday evening, noted that a decision regarding the Maharashtra cabinet would be finalised by the new Chief Minister once their appointment is confirmed.

He also underscored the unity within the Mahayuti coalition, stressing that the Chief Minister would take responsibility for forming the state cabinet once they assume office. “The Chief Minister will be responsible for finalising the state cabinet once appointed,” he stated.

Fadnavis, who served as the outgoing Deputy Chief Minister in the previous government, reassured that the coalition was working together cohesively to form a stable government.

The BJP-led alliance, comprising the BJP, Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP, secured a commanding win in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, with the BJP clinching over 131 seats and the alliance crossing the magic number of 145.