The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed two central observers to oversee the selection of its legislature party leader in Maharashtra, as suspense continues over the state’s next Chief Minister. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will play a crucial role in the proceedings.
This move comes more than a week after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), also known as Mahayuti, secured a decisive victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Despite the significant win, the swearing-in ceremony for the new government has yet to take place.
The BJP is set to hold a legislature party meeting on December 3, where Devendra Fadnavis is widely expected to be elected as the leader. All BJP Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have been asked to gather in Mumbai for the meeting. The final oath-taking ceremony for the new government is scheduled for December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend.
The Mahayuti alliance, which consists of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), secured 230 out of 288 assembly seats. The BJP won 132 seats, Shiv Sena claimed 57, and the NCP bagged 41 seats. Despite the overwhelming mandate, the appointment of a new CM has remained under a cloud of uncertainty, with internal discussions and power-sharing agreements among allies contributing to the delay.
The BJP has been proceeding cautiously due to the rising expectations of its allies, especially the Shiv Sena, which is keen to ensure its interests are protected following the election results. Shiv Sena’s push for unity within the alliance, however, has faced some resistance from other factions, leading to differing views on how the government formation should proceed.
Former Union Minister and BJP leader Raosaheb Danve remarked that had the undivided Shiv Sena and BJP contested together, they might have garnered even more seats. This comment highlights the ongoing discussions about the power dynamics within the alliance and the role of allies in the new government.
As the political landscape in Maharashtra continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the crucial meeting on December 3 and the subsequent developments that could shape the state’s political future.
