Political Drama in Maharashtra: BJP Set to Lead as Alliance Works Out Key Details

Mumbai is abuzz with political activity as Maharashtra gears up for a major announcement about its new government. Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has publicly stated that he has no objections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking the Chief Minister’s post. However, the road to finalizing the new leadership hasn’t been smooth, with marathon meetings still underway.

Late-Night Talks in Delhi

A crucial meeting took place at Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence in Delhi on Tuesday night. Key leaders from the Mahayuti alliance, including Eknath Shinde, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar of the NCP, gathered to iron out the power-sharing details. However, the discussions stretched into the night without a final decision. Sources revealed that another meeting is scheduled in Mumbai today to address unresolved issues.

While some agreements have been reached, such as continuing with two Deputy Chief Ministers, the alliance is yet to finalize cabinet positions. It appears the BJP is keen to retain critical portfolios, such as the Home Ministry, while Shinde is pushing for Urban Development, a department he has traditionally held.

The Race for Chief Minister

Though no official announcement has been made, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis is emerging as the frontrunner for the Chief Minister post. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar is expected to continue overseeing the Finance Ministry, while Shinde will likely be one of the Deputy Chief Ministers. The Mahayuti alliance leaders aim to finalize these details before making a public declaration, possibly as early as December 2.

Cabinet Distribution: A Balancing Act

The power-sharing arrangement among the three main alliance partners—BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction—is proving to be a delicate process. Sources say the BJP is set to keep 20–25 key ministries, Shiv Sena may get 12–15, and the NCP will secure 6–8 portfolios. The discussions also include assigning a central ministerial berth to each ally.

Elections and Criticism

While the alliance celebrates its landslide victory in the recent state elections, opposition parties, including Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of Shiv Sena, have accused the Election Commission of tampering with voter data. However, political analysts argue that the opposition should focus on introspection rather than making allegations, especially given their poor performance.

Praful Patel’s Role and National Impact

Praful Patel, a senior NCP leader, is playing a key role in negotiations. As a trusted ally of Ajit Pawar, Patel is expected to serve as a bridge between Maharashtra’s government and the central leadership. There is speculation that he might be appointed to a ministerial role in the Union Cabinet as part of the power-sharing agreement.

Looking Ahead

With the financial capital of India at stake, all eyes are on the Mahayuti alliance to ensure smooth governance. Today’s meeting in Mumbai will be crucial in deciding the final structure of the new government. Despite the challenges, leaders across the board remain optimistic about concluding the negotiations soon.

Maharashtra is set to witness a new chapter of governance, and citizens are hopeful that this alliance will deliver on its promises of development and progress.