Fadnavis vs Shinde: Tussle for power continues in Maharashtra as CM resigns

As the Mahayuti alliance is set to come back to power in the Indian state of Maharashtra, the suspense over who is going to be the next chief minister of the state seems to be deepening.

On Tuesday (Nov 26), the incumbent chief minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde submitted his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan in the Indian city of Mumbai.

The resignation was tendered by Shinde in the presence of Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.

In the Maharashtra assembly elections, the Mahayuti alliance which consistsof NCP, Shiv Sena and BJP clinched a massive victory over the Maha Vikas Agadi.

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In the elections, the Mahayuti alliance clinched the majority with BJP led by Fadnavis winning132seats and the Shiv Sena and NCP clinching 57 and 41 seats, respectively.

Fadnavis vs Shinde: Mystery over CM continues

The frontrunners for the position of chief minister are BJP senior leader Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.

As the leadership of the BJP continues to brainstorm who will be the next chief minister, the BJP faction backs Fadnavis for the post and Shiv Sena leaders are supporting Shinde.

To show their support for Shinde, Sena leaders had gathered outside his official bungalow Varsha.

However, Sena chief Shinde said on X, "After the great victory of the Mahayuti alliance, our government will be formed once again in the state. As a grand alliance, we contested the election together and are still together today."

"Out of love for me, some people have appealed to everyone to gather together and come to Mumbai. I am deeply grateful for your love. But I appeal that no one should come together in my support in such a manner," he added.

Watch:Maharashtra: Will The Fight For Maha CM Become The Next Major Political Battle After The Election?

Meanwhile, Sena spokesperson Naresh Mhaske proposed the 'Bihar model' of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the state.

"We feel Shinde should be the chief minister, just like in Bihar where BJP did not look at the numbers but still made JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar the CM. Senior leaders of the Mahayuti (in Maharashtra) will ultimately take a decision," Mhaske said.

However, BJP's Pravin Darekar said the mandate of the people is with Devendra Fadnavis.

"The people of Maharashtra stood behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In my opinion, Fadnavis should become the chief minister. Maharashtra needs an astute and academic leader. He kept the alliance united, gave our allies candidates, and even stepped back when required. He has always maintained coordination," said the MLC.

Meanwhile, a BJP leader said that the party will not rush into the announcement of the chief ministerial candidate till the distribution of portfolios in the new government of Maharashtra is finalised.

"The central leadership is in no hurry to name a candidate for the chief minister's post. We have secured a decisive mandate, and the priority now is to work out a comprehensive plan for government formation. That includes finalising ministerial portfolios and distribution of key posts such as district guardian ministers," said a state BJP leader, while speaking to PTI.

According to reports, the new Chief Minister of the state will be sworn in today, (Tuesday, November 26).

(With inputs from agencies)