Maharashtra’s political landscape remains fluid following the resounding victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the 2024 Assembly elections. While the Election Commission formally presented the election results to the Governor on November 24th, 2024, the formation of a new government is expected to take longer than initially anticipated. Sources within the BJP indicate that the final decision on the Chief Minister and cabinet positions will only be made after consultation with a centrally appointed BJP observer.
Speculation is rife about the potential Chief Minister. Prominent BJP leaders are strongly advocating for Devendra Fadnavis, citing his pivotal role in the Mahayuti’s landslide victory. Conversely, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) is pushing for Mr. Shinde himself, while the NCP is backing Ajit Pawar. However, all parties agree that the final decision rests solely with the top three leaders of the coalition.
Adding to the complexity, the distribution of cabinet berths is also a subject of intense negotiation. Preliminary estimations suggest a potential allocation of 21-22 ministerial posts for the BJP, 12 for the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, and 10 for the NCP. However, these numbers remain tentative and are subject to change after high-level discussions in Delhi.
Internal communication within the legislature secretariat suggests a possible swearing-in ceremony and commencement of the Assembly session on either November 27th or 28th. Senior NCP leader Praful Patel downplayed the urgency, citing the 2004 example where the Congress and NCP took several weeks to form a government after the elections. He emphasized the absence of internal conflicts within the Mahayuti, suggesting that a measured approach is being adopted.
Meanwhile, both the NCP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) have already appointed their respective group leaders – Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde – while the BJP is yet to announce its leader. The possibility of a meeting between the three key alliance leaders and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the coming days is also being discussed. Although the presence of top BJP leadership at the swearing-in ceremony in Mumbai has not been ruled out, sources within the BJP suggest that this is unlikely to happen immediately. The overall sentiment appears to be one of deliberate caution, prioritizing thorough consultation over rapid action. The coming days will be crucial in determining the final shape of Maharashtra’s next government.
