Maharashtra CM Decision Expected Tonight: Fadnavis Leading Contender at Key Delhi Meeting or Eknath Shinde?

Maharashtra CM Decision Expected Tonight: Some of the biggest politicians are meeting in Delhi to confirm the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. With Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP winning the state assembly polls on November 23, the alliance will today decide on the next chief minister. The names in consideration are that of the caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar and Union Minister Amit Shah.

While Shinde has come out in public stating that he will support the BJP's decision, despite Shiv Sena leaders asking him to continue as CM, speculation points towards Fadnavis as the front-runner. Sources close to Shinde have indicated that he is unlikely to accept the deputy CM position, as he believes his status as a former CM warrants a higher role. On the other hand, Shinde's son, MP Shrikant Shinde, has appreciated his father for putting the governance of Maharashtra above personal ambition and for being loyal to PM Modi and Amit Shah.

The Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP won with a thumping majority of 230 seats out of 288 in the Maharashtra Assembly. The BJP took away 132 seats, while Shiv Sena took away 57 and NCP took away 41 seats. The Maha Vikas Aghadi, led by the Congress, faced a crushing defeat by securing only 16 seats.

Following the election results, Eknath Shinde resigned as CM, in line with constitutional norms, and Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan appealed to him to continue as a caretaker CM till the new government is formed. The final decision on the next CM is likely to come from tonight's crucial meeting in Delhi.