Maharashtra’s political landscape shifts as BJP prepares for government formation and opposition MLAs reconsider their allegiance.
New Delhi: Maharashtra is set for significant political developments with the formation of a new government under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on December 5. As the oath-taking ceremony approaches, there are growing speculations about the shifting political allegiances within the state, particularly among the opposition MLAs. After the crushing defeat in the recent elections, MLAs from Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are reportedly uneasy about their future and are eyeing a shift towards the BJP.
Sources close to the BJP indicate that the party is preparing for the oath-taking ceremony on December 5, but the final decision on the Chief Minister’s post remains unclear. While several names have been discussed, Devendra Fadnavis, former Maharashtra Chief Minister, is the leading contender. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has reportedly given its approval for Fadnavis, and it is widely expected that he will be the party’s choice. However, the official announcement will be made after a meeting of BJP MLAs on December 3. Ahead of that, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to meet with the Maharashtra BJP’s core committee on December 2, where discussions about the Chief Minister’s position will take place. The decision will be finalised in the MLAs’ meeting on December 3, with the swearing-in ceremony following shortly on December 5.
The BJP is also preparing a comprehensive plan for governance in Maharashtra. According to sources, the new government will have two Deputy Chief Ministers, with Ajit Pawar from NCP and Eknath Shinde from Shiv Sena being the leading candidates. If either of them is unwilling to accept the position, the BJP may look for alternative candidates. The BJP high command has reportedly made its position clear to Shinde, and political experts believe that Shinde has no choice but to align with the BJP, as his support base is weak outside of the alliance.
Although the BJP may not have an outright majority in Maharashtra, it has formed strategic alliances to fill the gap. Ajit Pawar’s NCP is firmly supporting the BJP, and there are reports that 10 to 12 MLAs from Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction are loyal to the BJP as well. Moreover, several MLAs from Congress and NCP are believed to be ready to switch sides. This provides the BJP with a solid base of support, even if it falls short of a majority on its own. With this backing, Shinde is expected to remain with the BJP, strengthening the alliance.
The results of the recent elections have left Sharad Pawar, Congress, and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena in a precarious position. The internal turmoil within these parties has become so severe that they may not even be able to secure the position of Leader of Opposition in the state. The defeat has left many winning MLAs from these parties uncertain about their political futures. There are speculations that as many as 10 MLAs from Sharad Pawar’s NCP may shift allegiance to the BJP in the coming days. Congress MLAs, too, are reportedly weighing their options.
In the wake of the formation of the new government on December 5 under the leadership of the BJP, Maharashtra politics is expected to undergo further shifts. The political landscape will likely continue to evolve as more defections and realignments unfold, adding a layer of uncertainty to the state’s governance. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the long-term political fortunes of the opposition parties in Maharashtra.