Maharashtra CM Suspense: Efforts to form a new government in Maharashtra are gaining momentum, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for December 5 at Azad Maidan or Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai, according to a senior BJP leader. However, the saffron party is yet to finalize the candidate for the post of chief minister (CM). A key Mahayuti meeting scheduled for Friday has been arranged. The delay fueled speculation about the possibility of a surprise candidate.

Amit Shah meets Mahayuti leaders in Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Mahayuti leaders in Delhi on Thursday. Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar attended the meeting. Sources say the next CM is likely to come from the BJP faction, but no official announcement has been made. Reports also suggest the possibility of appointing two deputy chief ministers in the Maharashtra government.

Devendra Fadnavis’ return as CM still unclear

After the BJP’s victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Devendra Fadnavis’ name emerged as a strong contender for the CM. However, no official confirmation has been given. Even after the meeting with Amit Shah, his candidacy was not clear. This led to discussions on whether the BJP could introduce a new face for the CM post.

The story of BJP’s surprising CM selections

In the 2014 assembly elections, despite other potential candidates like Eknath Khadse and Gopinath Munde, the BJP surprised many by choosing Devendra Fadnavis as CM. When Uddhav Thackeray’s government collapsed, Fadnavis was expected to return as CM, but the party instead chose Eknath Shinde, making Fadnavis the deputy CM. The story of BJP’s surprising CM choices begs the question: if not Fadnavis, then who?

Chandrashekhar Bawankule

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule is also being considered for CM. A four-time MP from Kamthi, Bawankule was the Minister for Power and Excise till 2014. He is considered a close ally of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and hails from the prominent OBC Teli community in Vidarbha. Although he was denied a seat in 2019, his appointment as BJP president in 2022 is a testament to his growing influence.

Murlidhar Mohol

Along with Fadnavis and Bawankule, Murlidhar Mohol’s name has emerged as a potential CM candidate. Elected to the Lok Sabha in 2024, Mohol quickly rose to prominence by taking up a post in the Modi cabinet. Having started his political career in the BJP almost 30 years ago, Mohol also served as the mayor of Pune, further strengthening his credentials.

In the recently concluded elections to the 288-member Assembly, the BJP secured 132 seats, while its allies Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively.