Maharashtra Elections 2024 continue in a full-fledge to answer the question who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra۔ In a related development, BJP-led Mahayuti has won the Maharashtra Assembly elections decisively, leading in 221 of the total 288 seats. This victory comes as a strong comeback for the alliance after the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, where it had faced tough competition. The coalition Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar), trails far behind with 56 seats under its belt.
Its stellar performance that wins 124 out of 148 seats in the election reconfirms its position as the spine of Mahayuti. Other allies Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction also outperformed their rival factions which means the battle on which groups hold legitimacy as the “real Sena” and “real NCP” is intensified.
Eknath or Fandavis – who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra?
Despite the victory, the alliance now faces a familiar question: who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra? Comfortable victories have been achieved by both Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, making the decision more difficult. The BJP can push for Fadnavis, arguing with significant numbers. Shinde’s faction may argue that his leadership was crucial in fetching this mandate.
This situation is reminiscent of the post-election squabbal which, in 2019, differences between BJP and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena led to the collapse of their extended alliance. Now, while Shinde assumes Thackeray’s former position, the BJP needs to tread very carefully lest it breaks the coalition.
It is a different story from 2019 since Ajit Pawar is strongly contesting and that is going to give the BJP an upper hand. Given both allies are pulling well in their comfort zones, it’s bound to bargain power along with portfolios. Shinde’s Shiv Sena is only going to plead for continuation in leadership, and BJP might treat giving it away for the second time a step backward.
Meanwhile, the MVA suffers a political meltdown. Having swept the Lok Sabha polls, the poor showing has left many wondering if they actually did have a strategy or cohesion at all. Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, battered by factional resurgence attempts, now face yet deeper identity crises as breakaway groups thrive.
This election leaves Maharashtra’s political future hanging in the balance, with alliances and leadership decisions to bet on their shape for the next five years.
Also, see: Maharashtra assembly elections: Voter turnout ratio crosses 30%