Big Decision Day: Maharashtra CM choice awaits BJP’s key meet—Will Eknath Shinde take Deputy CM role?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will announce Maharashtra’s new chief minister today after its legislature party meeting at Vidhan Bhawan. The meeting, scheduled for the morning, will finalize the party’s leader for the top post. This decision comes after intense deliberations on the power-sharing formula in the Mahayuti alliance.

Eknath Shinde, the caretaker chief minister, has reportedly agreed to serve as deputy chief minister in the new government. His decision follows prolonged discussions about portfolio distribution among BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. The swearing-in ceremony for the new government will take place on December 5 at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 2,000 VVIPs, and 40,000 supporters expected to attend. Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar will also take their oaths alongside Shinde.

On Tuesday evening, Devendra Fadnavis met Shinde at the latter’s official residence in Mumbai. This marked their first in-person meeting since last week’s Delhi discussions. While details remain unclear, reports suggest the meeting aimed to ease tensions with Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and finalize plans for the oath-taking ceremony. Some view it as BJP’s effort to placate its ally amid signs of unease within the coalition.

Preparations for the grand swearing-in event are underway. Meanwhile, central BJP observers, including Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday. Their role will involve supervising the legislature meeting and ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

Shinde’s recent health check-up in Thane fueled speculation about his position in the alliance. His brief retreat to Satara last week further sparked rumors of dissatisfaction over BJP’s dominance in shaping the new government. Shiv Sena leaders have expressed their desire for the home portfolio, citing alliance traditions, should BJP secure the chief minister’s post.

The BJP’s decisive victory in the November 20 elections, where it won 132 of 288 seats, underscores its strong mandate. However, ensuring smooth collaboration with alliance partners remains a challenge. All eyes are now on Vidhan Bhawan as Maharashtra awaits clarity on its new leadership.