Amid Maharashtra CM Suspense, NCP Places Fresh Demand For Mahayuti Govt Posts

Maharashtra Government Formation: The NCP has demanded an equal share of seats in the Maharashtra government as Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, citing a better "strike rate" in the recent elections.

Amid the intense parleys over the Maharashtra Chief Minister's chair, the NCP has demanded an equal share of seats in the new Mahayuti government as Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. Reason: "better strike rate". NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said on Tuesday, "If we look at the strike rate in our alliance, BJP is at number one, Ajit [Pawar] Dada's NCP is at number two and the Shinde's [Shiv Sena] group is at number three. So our demand is that we should get as much space as them [Shinde Sena]."

According to sources, the NCP may demand 11 portfolios in the meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These include seven cabinet portfolios and two Minister of State (MoS) posts in Maharashtra. Sources said that the Ajit Pawar-led party will also demand one Union cabinet post and one governor post in Delhi. A governor post for a senior leader of the party and a cabinet post at the Centre for Praful Patel may be among the demands.

Bhujbal had earlier sought the CM's chair for Ajit Pawar based on "strike rate". Ajit Pawar's NCP won 41 of the 59 seats it contested in the recently concluded elections. This meant it had a strike rate of 69.5%. Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, on the other hand, won 56 of the 81 seats it contested giving it a strike rate of 70.4%. 

The BJP was the biggest gainer with a strike rate of 88.5%, winning 132 of the 148 seats it contested.

What's Happening On The CM Decision Front?

While it is almost decided that the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis would become the CM of the Maharashtra government and Ajit Pawar would become the Deputy CM, the role of Eknath Shinde remains in question. The Shinde Sena is also seeking 12 portfolios, including those of Home and Urban Development if sources are to be believed. However, the BJP is less than eager to allot the Home Ministry to its allies.

Shinde, who has had his eyes on the Home Ministry since the time Uddhav Thackeray became the Maharashtra CM, had to be content with the Urban Development Ministry back then as the portfolio went to the NCP. Later, when he orchestrated a rebellion within the Shiv Sena and joined hands with the BJP, he was made the CM but had to cede the Home Ministry to BJP's Fadnavis.

Now, if BJP takes the CM's post Shinde is unlikely to cede this key ministry, which has control over one of the most elite police departments in the country.

This is what is holding up a formal announcement of the decision on the CM's post.