FADNAVIS OR SHINDE: Mahayuti's victory sparks speculations over CM face

MUMBAI: Maharashtra's political scene is brimming with speculation after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party in the state Assembly, securing 132 seats out of 288.

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With the Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP, led by Ajit Pawar) securing 57 and 41 seats respectively, the BJP's strong showing has sparked discussions about who will hold the Chief Minister's position.

Devendra Fadnavis, a two-time former Chief Minister and the obvious front-runner for the position, is at the centre of these debates. Senior BJP leaders argue that the party's dominant tally strengthens its claim to lead the government.

"The BJP has won the largest share of seats, and it's time we stake our claim for leadership," a senior BJP leader said. However, the BJP leadership is mindful of coalition dynamics, as the alliance partners—Shiv Sena and NCP—have been key to the coalition's electoral success.

Outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis addressed these leadership questions with caution. Fadnavis, when asked about the leadership question, remained non-committal, repeating that the decision would be made.