There is a tussle going on from Mumbai to Delhi regarding who will get the post of Chief Minister in Maharashtra. After the withdrawal of Eknath Shinde’s candidature, the suspense regarding this post has increased further. Devendra Fadnavis is being considered as the frontrunner for the post of CM in BJP, but one myth of Maharashtra politics is not in his favor.
This is a myth that the Deputy CM does not get the post of Chief Minister in Maharashtra. So far in the last 46 years in Maharashtra, 9 leaders have got the post of Deputy CM, but none of them could reach the post of CM.
Starting with Nasik Rao Tripude
In 1978, Vasantdada Patil of Congress became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He made powerful leader Nasik Rao Tripude his deputy in his cabinet. Tripude was the MLA of Bhandara Assembly at that time. Tripude could remain on the post of Deputy CM only for 3 months.
After the formation of Sharad Pawar government in 1978, Tripude had to step down. After this, Tripude went into the politics of Congress organization. The party appointed him the president of Maharashtra.
There was a lot of talk about Tripude becoming the CM in 1983, but he lagged behind Vasantdada Patil. After this, Tripude could never return to mainstream politics.
Even Sundarrao could not become CM
When Sharad Pawar became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, he handed over the post of Deputy CM to Sundarrao Solanke to smooth the equations in his cabinet. Solanke remained on this post for more than a year, but as soon as Pawar left the post, Solanke became sidelined.
Solanki was a powerful leader of Parli and Beed. He died in 2014.
Ramrao Adik’s name also in the list
In 1983, when Vasantdada Patil of Congress became the Chief Minister, he made Ramrao Adik the Deputy CM. Adik was a strong leader of Mumbai Congress. At that time, the strategy behind making Adik the Deputy CM was to push Shiv Sena on the back foot.
Adik was a famous lawyer and was known for his arguments. He remained on the post of Deputy CM till 1985. There was discussion many times about his becoming CM, but he could not reach the post of Chief Minister.
Even Gopinath’s street is not available.
In 1995, Shiv Sena and BJP coalition government was formed in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena got the post of Chief Minister and BJP got the post of Deputy Chief Minister. BJP nominated Gopinath Munde for Deputy Chief Minister. Munde remained on this post for about 5 years.
Shiv Sena alliance was defeated in the 1999 elections and BJP was out of the government. Munde then joined central politics. In 2014, when BJP government was formed at the Centre, Munde was made Union Minister.
Even Chhagan could not reach Varsha Bungalow
In 1999, Congress and NCP together formed the government in Maharashtra. Congress got the chair of CM and NCP got the chair of Deputy CM. Sharad Pawar handed over the command of Deputy CM to Chhagan Bhujbal. Chhagan was very popular in Maharashtra at that time.
Chhagan, who belongs to the OBC community, was Deputy CM in Sushil Shinde and Vilasrao Deshmukh governments. After an allegation in 2003, Bhujbal’s powers were cut short. He was definitely brought back in 2008, but then Bhujbal got sidelined.
After this, Bhujbal remained in the background of politics for 10 years. Bhujbal made a political comeback after 2019. However, he remained limited to the post of minister.
Vijay Singh Patil also remained a deputy.
In 2003, Vijay Singh Patil was given the responsibility of Deputy CM from NCP quota. Patil was a strong leader of NCP at that time. Patil remained on the post of Deputy CM till 2004. After this the post of Deputy CM was taken away from him.
In 2014, Vijay Singh Patil was elected MP from Madha seat.
Even RR Patil could not become CM
In 2004, Sharad Pawar handed over the responsibility of Deputy CM to RR Patil. Patil was a powerful leader of Sangli district. He was considered a confidant of Sharad Pawar. Patil remained on the post of Deputy CM till 2008.
His resignation was taken after the Mumbai attacks in 2008. Along with the Deputy CM, the Chief Minister had also resigned. RR Patil’s politics could not take off after this.
Presently his son is in politics and is doing politics on behalf of Sharad Pawar.
The wait for Ajit is not ending either.
In 2010, Ajit Pawar became Deputy CM for the first time. Till now, Ajit has been the Deputy Chief Minister in the governments of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. Ajit has expressed his desire to become the Chief Minister many times, but due to political equations and support base, this is not happening.
There is talk of Ajit becoming Deputy CM this time too.