Why Mahayuti Is Not Being Able To Choose A Chief Minister In Maharashtra

Over a week after the Maharashtra election, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance struggles to form a government. Read on to find out why.

Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar.

Source : PTI

More than a week has passed since the Maharashtra Assembly election results came out, but there is still no clarity on the government formation. The primary Mahayuti constituents — BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena — have 230 seats between them. There are three candidates, too, for the Maharashtra Chief Minister's chair. Moreover, the election results gave a clear majority in the Mahyuti to BJP, which was more than the Shiv Sena and NCP combined.

Yet, the BJP-led Mahayuti is not being able to choose a Chief Minister and form the government. The reason being, despite the claims of "unity" in the alliance, the three parties are divided in their choices for the CM. Each party wants its respective leader to take the chair. Neither Devendra Fadnavis, nor Eknath Shinde, nor Ajit Pawar have publicly said that they do not want the CM's chair. Every public statement by these leaders only overtly stresses the "unity in Mahayuti" factor.

With over a week having passed since the results, it is now almost certain that Devendra Fadnavis from the BJP will be the Chief Minister. Moreover, the BJP has also considered Eknath Shinde's demands of portfolios, if sources are to be believed. However, indecision over the role of Eknath Shinde himself is what's holding up the government formation.

Sources said that the BJP has offered the Deputy Chief Minister's chair to Eknath Shinde, but he has not responded to it. Shinde's trip to his native village, Dare in Satara, and his meeting with NCP-Sharad Pawar faction leader Jitendra Awhad have also set the political circles in Maharashtra buzzing.

Even the date and venue of the swearing-in of the new Maharashtra CM have been almost finalised. It remains to be seen how long the Mahayuti "unitedly" decides on the top government post.