Maharashtra Election Results 2024: Eknath Shinde quits as CM, caretaker administration announced

Maharashtra Election Result 2024 has ended with a comprehensive win for the Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena with Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister, and NCP with Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister. The Mahayuti alliance has won 230 out of the total 288 assembly seats, thus effectively retaining the state government. However, suspense continues on who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

The political developments have further meant that the present Chief Minister from the Shiv Sena faction, Eknath Shinde, has tendered his resignation to the Governor, CP Radhakrishnan. The resignation has ushered in Shinde's position as caretaker Chief Minister of Maharashtra at this critical moment of political shifts that the state is witnessing in its political structure.

The Mahayuti alliance emerged victorious; Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi, however, failed to regain power and managed only 46 seats. Despite this triumph, the leadership of the new government remains contentious. Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) appear front-runners to hold the post of Chief Minister, although the final decision remains to be taken at this moment.

Reports suggest that the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra would be sworn in as early as November 26, but an eventual delay in announcing the final choice reflects the on-going discussions within the Mahayuti alliance. Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar have been the most influential politicians who would have definitely led the partnership to fruition and especially Fadnavis had received suport of NCP leader and Ajit Pawar.

In the backdrop of all these developments, Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar has assured that there is no dispute within the Mahayuti alliance. "Our government will be formed. There is no dispute amongst us," Kesarkar said, confirming the unity of the alliance. However, the question of leadership remains unresolved, with the suspense over the next Maharashtra CM continuing.

Maharashtra's political drama is far from being over as national and local political leaders anxiously wait for the state's next step in the formation of the new government. Their future at the state level now depends on who will actually become the Chief Minister and steer the state through the remainder of the term.

Also read: Explosions Near Badshah's Chandigarh Nightclub: Police Probe into Food Bomb Attack