Eknath Shinde Concedes Chief Minister Role
With the decision made regarding the chief minister’s post, Eknath Shinde has stepped back from contention for the role. This move has shifted the focus towards the intricate process of government formation in Maharashtra. A new government is set to be sworn in on Monday following key discussions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. The official announcement of the new chief minister is anticipated after the BJP legislature party formally elects its leader in Mumbai on Friday.
Key Meetings and Power Sharing
A pivotal meeting is scheduled for Thursday in Delhi, where Shinde, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis (likely the new chief minister), and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar will be convening with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This meeting aims to finalize the power-sharing arrangements among the three parties of the Mahayuti alliance, which is expected to include two deputy chief ministers, in addition to the chief minister.
Fadnavis remarked that the decision-making on government formation would rest with the BJP’s central leadership after thorough consultations with state leaders from all three parties involved. He emphasized that decisions would be made amicably, reaffirming their pre-election agreements.
Distribution of Cabinet Berths
Ajit Pawar noted that the distribution of power will be intricately linked to the number of seats secured by each party. The current understanding anticipates the BJP claiming the majority of the 43 Cabinet positions. The party won 132 out of 288 assembly seats, and as such, is projected to retain around 22 cabinet berths, along with the chief minister’s position. The Shiv Sena and NCP are expected to receive 12 and 9 Cabinet berths, respectively.
Fadnavis is likely to retain control of the home portfolio, while finance may be assigned to the NCP. The Shiv Sena and BJP are likely to vie for the crucial Urban Development Department, and discussions on the desirable revenue department are also anticipated.
Upcoming Legislative Decisions
Following the power-sharing discussions on Thursday, central observers from the BJP will arrive in Mumbai on Friday to meet the newly elected MLAs. During this meeting, the BJP legislature party leader is expected to be unanimously elected. An official announcement of the new chief minister will subsequently be made after receiving approval from the BJP’s parliamentary board, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Swearing-in Ceremony Scheduled for Monday
The swearing-in ceremony is set to take place on Monday, as both Modi and Shah have prior commitments with the winter session of Parliament and a conference in Bhubaneswar. The event is anticipated to be grand, attended by the prime minister, Union ministers, chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, and other senior leaders from the NDA.
Conclusion
The groundwork for the government formation in Maharashtra has been laid following a decisive win for the Mahayuti alliance in the state assembly elections. With Shinde’s support for the BJP leadership’s decisions, the political landscape is poised for development, signaling an intriguing shift in the governing dynamics of the state. Despite the swift progress, officials hinted that the announcement of a new government may still take time, contingent upon the outcomes of discussions and the final agreement on power distribution.
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