Post 1 - Contender 6, whose claim is the strongest for the post of Chief Minister in Maharashtra?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the formation of a Mahayuti government in Mumbai, but during this time he did not give any clear indication about the next Chief Minister. He praised Chief Minister Eknath Shinde but did not say whether Shinde would be the next Chief Minister. This move of Modi can give rise to political speculations because a similar statement was also given about Devendra Fadnavis earlier.

After the assembly elections in Maharashtra, both Mahayuti and Mahavikas Aghadi have three contenders each for the post of Chief Minister. In Mahayuti, the names of Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar are in discussion, while in Mahavikas Aghadi, the names of Uddhav Thackeray, Nana Patole and Supriya Sule are coming up.

In Mahayuti, the BJP is contesting elections on 149 seats.

In Mahayuti, the BJP is contesting the maximum number of 149 seats, while Shinde's Shiv Sena is contesting 81 seats and Ajit Pawar's NCP is contesting on 59 seats. BJP has more seats than the majority alone, which puts it in the lead role. In such a situation, the question arises as to which name will be decided for the post of Chief Minister.

Sharad Pawar gave a hint.

In the Mahavikas Aghadi, Congress is coming in the way of making Uddhav Thackeray the Chief Minister. Nana Patole had opposed Uddhav's becoming the Chief Minister in 2019 given the low number of seats of the Congress. However, Sharad Pawar had stood in support of Uddhav then, but now Sharad Pawar has indicated that he can consider the Chief Minister's candidature for his party.

Fadnavis hinted at the CM post

Both Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar have maintained their silence regarding the CM post, although there is confusion about this post within both of them. Fadnavis had recently said in a statement that he cannot be satisfied by making him Deputy CM and he expressed hope to the party leadership that he should now be given a new opportunity.

Role of women in Mahavikas Aghadi

The Mahavikas Aghadi is considering the candidature of women for the post of Chief Minister. Sharad Pawar said that there is no objection to a woman becoming the Chief Minister and Supriya Sule's name is in discussion for this. However, Pawar ruled out the possibility of himself becoming the CM and said that his party would not make a CM this time.

Political strategies: Intentions of party chiefs

Both Mahavikas Aghadi and Mahayuti will decide the name of the Chief Minister according to the pressure and intentions of the party chiefs in coalition politics. Congress has played a major role in suppressing Uddhav Thackeray's wishes to become the Chief Minister and now all eyes are on the election result of November 23.