After Stunning Victory In Maharashtra Polls, Mahayuti's Oath Ceremony Likely To Take Place Tomorrow

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is set to stake its claim to form the government following its sweeping victory in the Maharashtra elections.

The oath-taking ceremony is expected to be held tomorrow, said Deepak Kesarkar, a senior minister from the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena.

Photo Credit: PTI

Sources indicated that only the chief minister and those designated as deputies are likely to be sworn in tomorrow, with no decision yet on other cabinet members.

While Eknath Shinde and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis are the frontrunners for the chief minister's position, it remains unclear who will secure the top role.

When asked about this yesterday, shortly after the seat tally confirmed a second term for Mahayuti, both Shinde and Fadnavis emphasised that the allies would be consulted to select the chief minister.

"There will be no dispute about who will be the Chief Minister... it was decided from day one that, after the election, the leaders of the three parties will sit together and decide this," said Fadnavis.

Mahayuti won 235 of the total 288 seats, with the BJP emerging as the largest party with 132 seats. As the BJP assumed a senior position in the NDA, the opposition targeted Shinde, suggesting he might have to work under Fadnavis.

The chief minister's role has historically been a contentious issue in Maharashtra politics, previously plunging the BJP into a political crisis. In 2019, the tussle over the position led to the united Shiv Sena's departure from the NDA alliance. Uddhav Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, had demanded an equal share in the top post, but the BJP's refusal resulted in the alliance's collapse.

Subsequently, the Congress and the united NCP, led by Sharad Pawar, capitalised on the opportunity to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, with Thackeray appointed as chief minister.

In 2022, the political dynamics shifted when Eknath Shinde, once a trusted aide of Thackeray, defected with a significant number of legislators, leading to the MVA government's collapse. Shinde then became chief minister as the BJP formed a government with the support of rebel MLAs. Mahayuti's position further solidified when Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar and aligned with the Shinde-led government.