Although four months remain before the Maharashtra legislative assembly elections are conducted, talks have already begun over the CM candidate in the next government. A recent statement by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has ignited a controversy within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Raut opined that the MVA should enter the election fray by announcing its CM candidate and proposed his party chief, Uddhav Thackeray, for the same. His statement didn't go down well with other MVA constituents, who immediately retorted, saying that the CM face would be decided when the top leaders of the three parties sit together.
Let's have a look at the aspirants and potential candidates for the hot seat of Maharashtra in both the incumbent Mahayuti and opposition MVA alliances.
Uddhav Thackeray:
Thackeray has been CM for two and half years in the MVA government and is open to become the CM again if circumstances favour him. As per Raut, Thackeray was popular as the CM and he deserves another stint.
Supriya Sule:
Although Sharad Pawar's daughter Sule became a Lok Sabha MP consistently for the fourth time, she could be a choice for the CM's post if Sharad Pawar's NCP becomes the largest party in terms of MLAs within the NCP. Before rebellion of Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar maintained that Sule will be active in the central politics while his nephew Ajit will look after the affairs at the state level. However, Ajit Pawar's defection has altered this arrangement.
Nana Patole:
Although a section of Congress leaders is not happy with his style of functioning, Patole is being credited for his role as Maharashtra Congress chief in reviving the party. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress won just one seat out of 48. However, in 2024, under the leadership of Patole, it became the largest party in Maharashtra by winning 13 seats. Patole will be a prominent contender for the CM's post if the Congress emerges as the largest party within the MVA.
Now let us look at the aspirants from the incumbent Mahayuti alliance-
Devendra Fadnavis:
He has been CM twice and is presently Deputy CM of the state. He is seen as the obvious choice as the CM's face of BJP unless circumstances compel the top leadership to contemplate some other name.
Eknath Shinde:
Eknath Shinde, the chief of Shiv Sena and Chief Minister is looking forward for another term. He is not having any challenger within the party, however, his return to the office solely depends on what's in the mind of the BJP leadership. In 2022, the BJP made him CM despite his party having much lesser number of seats. The BJP is not likely to be that "generous" this time, if the alliance comes into power.
Ajit Pawar:
Ajit Pawar holds the record of becoming Maharashtra's Deputy CM four times. There was a chance for him to become the CM when NCP had won more seats than Congress in 2004 elections. However, the party chief and his uncle gave away the CM post to Congress in exchange of an extra cabinet berth in the UPA government at the centre. Ajit Pawar has never hidden his ambition to become the CM, however, it seems possible only when Mahayuti wins the election and his party bags the highest number of seats within the alliance.
Both the alliances will begin seat sharing process soon after the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra legislsture concludes.
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