After strong show in Maharashtra polls, discussions in BJP on to push Devendra Fadnavis as CM

New Delhi: Who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra? Will Eknath Shinde stay on the seat or Devendra Fadnavis helm the state? The answer continues to elude everyone, even though there are signs that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will try to expedite the process of Fadnavis making a comeback to Varsha, the official residence of the Maharashtra CM in Mumbai.

After BJP led Mahayuti alliance to a landslide victory, with the saffron party itself winning a ‘historic’ 132 seats, the party’s perspective has hugely changed. And Shinde retaining the top post has come under doubt. The BJP will use its resounding success and numbers to make Fadnavis the CM since he has been the deputy CM for 2.5 years and obeyed the party command. As the situation demanded then, he stepped down and let Shinde take on the mantle from him.

Making Fadnavis the CM would not go down well with the workers and supporters of Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which carried out the election campaign under his leadership. However, there is buzz that the BJP’s top leadership is batting for Fadnavis as the CM. The BJP recognises Ladki Bahin drive’s success initiated by Shinde and his image as a good leader. But they also reportedly believe that the landslide victory of Mahayuti is also because of the Hindutva forces that were strongly and effectively represented by PM Modi, Amit Shah, and Yogi Adityanath during the poll campaigns. Besides, sources also suggest that Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction wants Fadnavis to become the next Chief Minister. The RSS also reportedly subtly pushing for Fadnavis.

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What’s Eknath Shinde’s argument?

It is learnt that Shinde is unwilling to leave the CM’s chair. Sources indicate that Shinde is hesitating to step down because his contention is that his continued leadership would be beneficial for the Mahayuti alliance in the forthcoming local body polls, particularly the BMC elections which assumes a lot of significance.

Shinde argues that his appeal among urban and Marathi voters could help solidify the coalition’s hold on state politics, that could go a long way in winning the local elections. This argument is based on regional pride and grassroots links that Shinde has developed over the years.

A Times of India report said that as per sources, internal discussions within BJP circles are going on. While the party top brass acknowledges Shinde’s mass appeal as a strong leader, it also considers Fadnavis as a leader capable of introducing a fresh, dynamic approach to governance, and one who can align state politics with the national BJP narrative highlighting development and efficiency. According to the TOI report, party insiders have revealed that a number of meetings, including a top brass brainstorming until late Saturday night, has taken place, even though the matter remains unresolved.