BJP may keep CM post, Shiv Sena to get plum Cabinet berths: What Maharashtra government could look like

Eknath Shinde has hinted that he's out of the race for the Maharashtra CM post, saying he's going to abide by PM Narendra Modi’s and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s decision on the matter. This means the path is apparent for the BJP to appoint its own face for the very best job. Here’s what its Mahayuti allies – Shiv Sena and NCP – may get

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Eknath Shinde has indicated that he's out of the Maharashtra CM race. File Photo/PTI

After Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hinted at ceding his claim to the very best job, all eyes are normally on who will occupy the post. The Shiv Sena chief said on Wednesday (November 27) that he would now no longer be a “hurdle” in government formation.

His announcement is seen as an end to the deadlock on the Maharashtra chief minister post four days after the Mahayuti romped home with 230 of the 288 seats within the Maharashtra Assembly polls. Of this, the Bharatiya Janata Birthday celebration (BJP) secured 132 seats, while its allies – Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Birthday celebration (NCP) – got 57 and forty one seats respectively.

Shinde’s indication that he's out of the race has lead the way for a BJP leader to change into the following Maharashtra CM, with Devendra Fadnavis considered the frontrunner.

Let’s take a more in-depth look.

What Eknath Shinde said

Shinde has said his Shiv Sena would give a boost to the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the following Maharashtra CM.

Addressing a press conference at his place of abode in Thane on Wednesday, the caretaker CM said, “I spoke to the prime minister and the home minister and said that there will likely be no obstacle from our side in government formation. Modi ji is the leader of the NDA [National Democratic Alliance] and I said that whatever their decision is and whoever their CM candidate is, the Shiv Sena will fully give a boost to him.”

His remarks come amid Shiv Sena leaders pushing for Shinde’s comeback as the Maharashtra chief minister, with some even citing the “Bihar model”.

Shinde rubbished reports that he turned into unhappy over being asked to drop his claim over the very best job. “I am now no longer disappointed. We fight and don’t cry,” he said.

#WATCH | Thane: Maharashtra caretaker CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde says, "For the past 2-Four days you need to to have seen rumours that somebody is miffed. We do not appear to be people that get miffed...I spoke with the PM the day passed by and told him that there would maybe be no obstruction from our result in… p.c.twitter.com/IvFlgD5WQI— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2024

His comments indicate that he has bowed out of the Maharashtra CM race, which clears the decks for the BJP leadership to make a choice any candidate of its choice.

Responding to Shinde’s announcement, Fadnavis said that the BJP’s top brass will take a call on the CM face.

“After Eknath Shinde ji’s media conference, there will not be any doubts in any one’s mind. A decision on government formation will likely be taken by the central leadership after due deliberation with state leaders from the three parties. Just as we had made up our minds earlier than the election, all decisions are being taken amicably,” he said in Nagpur.

VIDEO | "There would maybe be no difference of opinion among Mahayuti partners. Even earlier than the elections, we had said that we're ready to examine (over the CM) together. For the time being, Eknath Shinde ji has cleared all doubts that were there among some people. We are going to soon sit together and make a… p.c.twitter.com/KZM6VFOiNE— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 27, 2024

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule “thanked” Shinde for saying that he's going to abide by the BJP leadership’s decision.

“I want to thank Shinde. He… made clear his stand on the executive minister’s post. He has taken a extremely important stand. I am proud of him,” he turned into quoted as saying by PTI.

Shinde, Fadnavis and NCP’s Ajit Pawar will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Thursday to debate the ability-sharing deal between the 3Mahayuti parties.

Who will get what?

The BJP is maybe going to retain the CM post, while the formula of two deputies may continue – one from NCP and the opposite from Shiv Sena.

Shinde, who publicly hinted at giving up his claim to the Maharashtra CM post, would have done so best after securing “plum portfolios” for his birthday celebration, noted Indian Express. Sources told the newspaper that Shinde may need even bagged yet yet one more berth within the Union Cabinet for Shiv Sena.

Maharashtra has 43 Cabinet berths. As per Hindustan Times (HT), the BJP is maybe going to take care of 22 berths including the CM post, while the Shiv Sena may get 12 portfolios and the NCP nine.

Shiv Sena may get three key ministries – Urban Development, Public Works Department (PWD) and Water Resources – within the Maharashtra Cabinet, NDTV’s sources said.

Fadnavis, who is being projected as the following CM, is maybe going to retain the home department. The NCP may get the finance portfolio.

“Home, finance, UDD [urban development department] and revenue are considered the three most the main departments. Of these, two will go to the BJP and one each and each to both allies. Fadnavis is excited concerning the home portfolio as policing, which falls below the home department, is without delay linked to a dead ringer for the govt.,” a senior BJP leader told HT.

When is the Maharashtra CM’s oath-taking ceremony?

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Maharashtra CM may take place either on November 30 or December 1, Ajit Pawar told reporters.

He also confirmed the govt. may need two deputy chief ministers, PTI reported.

Along with the CM and his deputies, 20 MLAs are also more likely to take oath as Cabinet Ministers, sources told Indian Express. This will consist of 10 MLAs from the BJP, six from Shinde’s Sena and 4 from the NCP.

Alternatively, as per an HT report, the oath ceremony is expected to be held on Monday (December 2) by reason of PM Modi and Amit Shah’s busy agenda this week.

With inputs from agencies