Maharashtra CM choice uncertain as Mahayuti's top 3 leaders in 3 cities before December 5

Maharashtra is preparing for the swearing-in ceremony of its next Chief Minister on December 5, following a landslide victory by the Mahayuti alliance in the state assembly elections. The alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured a commanding majority, but the final decision on the Chief Minister remains uncertain. Ahead of the ceremony, the three key leaders of the alliance—BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde, and NCP’s Ajit Pawar—are located in different cities, with each leader playing a key role in the ongoing discussions regarding the leadership.

Devendra Fadnavis is in Mumbai, where preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are being managed. Eknath Shinde, who is the current caretaker Chief Minister, has relocated to Thane citing health issues. Shinde had earlier stated that he would back the BJP’s choice for Chief Minister. His absence from Mumbai in the lead-up to the swearing-in has raised questions regarding the timing of his final decision on the leadership issue. Ajit Pawar, NCP’s leader, is in New Delhi, where he is expected to meet BJP leader Amit Shah to discuss the political situation in Maharashtra and finalize the leadership arrangement within the alliance.

Despite the Mahayuti alliance’s victory in the Maharashtra elections, winning over 230 seats, the alliance has not yet formally approached Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake its claim to form the next government. The delay in formally approaching the Governor has added to the uncertainty surrounding the selection of the new Chief Minister. According to reports, the BJP has been overseeing the preparations for the swearing-in ceremony, but there has been no official confirmation regarding the selection of the CM candidate.

Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar addressed rumors of internal discord within the alliance and clarified that Shiv Sena has no objections to the BJP’s internal decision-making process regarding the Chief Minister. Kesarkar stated, "Our leader has already proven who truly represents the Shiv Sena. Now it is up to Delhi (BJP central leadership) to decide how to maintain his stature. We will not interfere in that decision." He further emphasized that the delays in the process were not due to any interference from Shiv Sena.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule has been overseeing the logistical arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony, which is scheduled to take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the event. To assist in the election of the state legislature party leader, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani have been appointed as central observers. The meeting to finalize the legislature party leader is expected to take place on the morning of December 5, with the Chief Minister’s selection to follow. The BJP is expected to hold the Chief Minister’s post, with Shiv Sena and NCP potentially taking on the roles of deputy Chief Ministers.