Tug of war over Chief Minister’s post in MVA, Mahayuti ahead of poll results

As Maharashtra awaits the outcome of the recently concluded Assembly elections, political corridors are abuzz with claims and counterclaims over the Chief Minister’s post. The race for the top position has intensified within both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). With the two alliances comprising six parties, chances are slim of a clear mandate for any single party.
A public disagreement emerged within the MVA, comprising Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, over the Chief Minister’s post.
Congress leader Nana Patole claimed that, as per the trends, his party was poised to gain an outright majority, and that the MVA would form the government under its leadership.
Responding to this, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called on the Congress leadership—Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge—to clarify their stance.
Nothing has been decided yet, and the top leaders will make the call soon, Raut clarified.
In the ruling Mahayuti alliance, similar tensions surfaced. Sanjay Shirsat, an MLA from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, asserted that Shinde has the right to become Chief Minister again, citing confidence in the people’s mandate.
However, this claim drew a sharp reaction from the BJP.
BJP leader Pravin Darekar said that it might be Shirsat’s personal wish for Eknath Shinde to become Chief Minister again and not the party’s official position.
Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction also weighed in, with spokesperson Sanjay Tatkare expressing confidence in Mahayuti’s victory, predicting 170 seats for the alliance. However, he emphasised that the decision on the Chief Minister post rests with BJP’s central leadership and the alliance’s top three leaders.
Exit polls have largely favoured the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, projecting an outright majority. However, the MVA is optimistic about securing 145 to 155 seats, claiming it can form the government.
The 2019 assembly elections saw BJP emerge as the largest party with 105 seats, followed by the undivided Shiv Sena with 56 and Congress with 44. With the dynamics now reshaped and alliances reconfigured, the upcoming results will determine who takes the reins of Maharashtra.