Title: BJP’s Chief Minister Selection: Fadnavis Emerges as the Front-Runner

Fadnavis Poised for Maharashtra CM Role Amid Rising Discussions in BJP

Speculations Surrounding Fadnavis as the Next CM of Maharashtra

Discussions within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the selection of Maharashtra's Chief Minister have intensified. In light of recent developments, there is a growing possibility that Devendra Fadnavis may once again be appointed as the Chief Minister of the state. Fadnavis is currently the most prominent contender for the role, with support from Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde.

Fadnavis' National Political Comeback

Maharashtra, being the second-largest state in India with 48 Lok Sabha seats, holds significant political weight. Fadnavis’ return as the Chief Minister could not only stir state politics but may also lead to a resurgence of his influence in national politics, similar to the political rise of Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh.

Fadnavis’ Term and BJP’s Political Strategy

Devendra Fadnavis served as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019, a tenure often referred to as a "one-man government," which led to some dissatisfaction within the party. However, the delay in the BJP leadership’s announcement of his name could signal a strategy of maintaining control, implying that if Fadnavis becomes CM, the party will retain significant authority over state matters.

BJP’s Strategy Involving Eknath Shinde

BJP seems to be keeping Fadnavis calm, as their strategy goes beyond just securing the support of Shiv Sena’s 57 legislators. The party’s broader goal is to gain control over the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a crucial objective in the political landscape. Eknath Shinde's role is also key in weakening Uddhav Thackeray’s position, although this process remains incomplete as Shiv Sena (UBT) has secured 10 out of 20 seats in Mumbai.

Eknath Shinde’s Rise as a Maratha Leader

When Eknath Shinde became Chief Minister in 2022, he was relatively unknown. However, over the past two years, he has emerged as a prominent Maratha leader, advocating for social welfare schemes such as the "Ladki Behan Yojana." His political image has grown stronger, and even reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has refrained from criticizing him.

Prakash Patel’s Lunch Meeting and Changing Political Dynamics

A lunch meeting hosted by Prakash Patel in Delhi's Lutyens area last week highlighted the shifting dynamics in Maharashtra's politics. Instead of Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule, his nephew Ajit Pawar and other family members attended. Prakash Patel introduced Ajit Pawar to the national media, who recently led the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to win 41 seats in the assembly elections, giving him control over the party, while Sharad Pawar secured only 10 seats.

Selection of New Chief Minister: Key Announcement Awaited

The name of Maharashtra's new Chief Minister is expected to be announced on Wednesday, one day before the oath-taking ceremony of the Mahayuti government. BJP legislators will select their leader in a meeting of the legislative party. To oversee the process, BJP has appointed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as central observers. Both leaders are scheduled to meet with the party’s elected representatives in Mumbai on Wednesday.

BJP's Stand on Fadnavis' Candidacy

While the BJP has yet to make an official announcement, a senior BJP leader claimed on Sunday that Devendra Fadnavis has already been chosen for the Chief Minister position. It is expected that the two major allies of the Mahayuti alliance, Shiv Sena and NCP, will likely be given Deputy CM posts in the new government.

Mahayuti Alliance’s Historic Victory in 2024 Elections

In the recently concluded 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Mahayuti alliance secured a massive victory, winning 230 out of 288 seats. BJP won 132 seats, while Shiv Sena secured 57 seats, and NCP won 41 seats.