It has been three days since the Maharashtra Assembly election results came out, but there is suspense over the name of the Chief Minister. BJP has got more than double the seats than its allies. BJP, which handed over the reins of power to Eknath Shinde for two and a half years, is now busy weaving the fabric of making him its Chief Minister. Devendra Fadnavis’s name from BJP is leading in the race for CM, but Shivsena is adamant on Shinde’s name. In such a situation, the third partner of Mahayuti is NCP chief Ajit Pawar, whose camp wants to see Fadnavis instead of Shinde on the CM’s chair.
In Maharashtra, Mahayuti has performed unexpectedly and returned to power with a huge majority, due to which the political outlook has completely changed. If Mahayuti had got a slight majority in the election results, Eknath Shinde’s seat was certain, but BJP’s better performance has changed the party’s perspective. BJP is now trying to make its CM, for which the name of Devendra Fadnavis is being discussed rapidly. Ajit Pawar camp also wants Fadnavis to take over the reins of power, because NCP sees its own benefit in it.
BJP emerged as the largest party in Maharashtra
BJP has won the maximum number of seats in Maharashtra elections. BJP has got 132 seats, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena has got 57 seats and Ajit Pawar’s NCP has got 41 seats. Due to this, BJP wants to make Shinde its CM. Ajit Pawar is also in favor of making Devendra Fadnavis the CM. NCP leaders say that Fadnavis’ name was supported in the meeting held after the election results.
NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said that we do not see any reason due to which we should oppose Devendra Fadnavis for the post of CM. Apart from this, NCP has also clearly told the top leadership of BJP that Fadnavis should be made the CM. Not only Ajit Pawar, RPI leader and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has also said that BJP has decided to make Devendra Fadnavis the CM, the formal announcement of which can be made soon. Eknath Shinde should join central politics. If Shinde does not agree then BJP will have no problem as it has majority figure.
Why Pawar’s choice of Fadnavis instead of Shinde?
Why do Ajit Pawar and his close leaders want to see Devendra Fadnavis on the Chief Minister’s chair in place of Eknath Shinde? The reason behind this is that Ajit Pawar has stronger relations with Fadnavis than Shinde. In 2019, when Uddhav Thackeray broke the alliance with BJP after the election results, Ajit Pawar came out in support. The then Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had administered the oath of office to Fadnavis as CM and Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM. However, Ajit Pawar could not garner the support of MLAs required from NCP to form the government. Due to this he had to resign, but the political chemistry between the two leaders was visible.
When Ajit Pawar rebelled against NCP in 2023 and brought 40 MLAs with him, Devendra Fadnavis’ role was behind it. Fadnavis had made Ajit Pawar the Deputy CM and given him a place in the cabinet at par with Shiv Sena. Now if Fadnavis becomes CM in place of Shinde, it will be comfortable to work for Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar’s stature in Maharashtra politics is no less than Eknath Shinde. Pawar’s strike rate in the elections is also slightly higher. In this way, Ajit Pawar’s strategy is to keep Shinde at par with his political stature by installing Fadnavis on the CM’s chair.
Ajit Pawar’s political chemistry is better with Fadnavis than Shinde. That is why Ajit Pawar wants Fadnavis to be made the CM instead of Shinde. Ajit Pawar will feel more comfortable working under the leadership of Fadnavis. Apart from this, Ajit’s strategy is to maintain his relevance in Maharashtra. If Shiv Sena people protest if Fadnavis is made CM in place of Shinde, Ajit Pawar will be the first to be seen standing with BJP. In this way, Ajit Pawar wants to kill many birds with one stone, for which he is playing political games.