The suspense surrounding the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra is expected to end today as leaders from the ruling Mahayuti alliance meet top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officials in Delhi. Maharashtra’s caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah at around 6 pm today. The meeting is set to discuss and finalize the leadership structure of the upcoming government in the state. Sources suggest that the meeting will also focus on the division of portfolios and the number of ministers each party in the Mahayuti alliance will hold.
The gathering comes after a significant announcement by Eknath Shinde on Wednesday, where he declared that the Shiv Sena would support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah’s decision on selecting the next Maharashtra CM. This move is seen as a clear indication that the BJP is poised to take the top post in the new state government, while its allies—the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—are expected to take up the roles of deputy chief ministers.
Ajit Pawar, leader of the NCP, has already arrived in Delhi to participate in these crucial discussions. The proposed government formation in Maharashtra is expected to follow a formula of one Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers, with representatives from the three key allies—BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP. This arrangement aims to balance power among the constituent parties and ensure a smooth governance process.
Additionally, sources from within the BJP suggest that the party is concerned about the lack of a Maratha face in the new government, which could have electoral implications. This issue was reportedly discussed during a meeting between BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde and Amit Shah on Wednesday. The two leaders also deliberated on the upcoming local elections and the political strategies for the state.
Eknath Shinde, who has played a pivotal role in the recent developments, addressed the media on Wednesday, reiterating his full support for the BJP’s decision on the next Chief Minister. He confirmed that he had spoken to both Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah, assuring them that he would not be an obstacle in the process. Despite not securing a second term as Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde dismissed claims of disappointment and emphasized that the Shiv Sena would back the BJP’s leadership choice wholeheartedly.
The final decision on the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s position, along with other key appointments, is expected to be made after today’s crucial meeting in Delhi. The oath-taking ceremony for the new government could also be scheduled in the coming days, once the leadership structure is finalized.
