The decision on who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra is expected on Monday, November 25, following the Mahayuti alliance's landslide victory in the state assembly elections. On Sunday night, Eknath Shinde was unanimously chosen as the leader of the Shiv Sena legislative party by the party’s 57 newly elected MLAs during a meeting in a Mumbai hotel.

Unanimous Support for Shinde

Three resolutions were passed during the meeting:

1. Acknowledgment of Shinde's leadership for Shiv Sena's victory.
2. A vote of thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their support.
3. Expression of gratitude to the people of Maharashtra for trusting the Mahayuti alliance.

Support for Shinde to Continue as CM

Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar stated that the party's MLAs believe Eknath Shinde should continue as the Chief Minister. Shiv Sena won 57 seats, while the BJP, under Devendra Fadnavis' leadership, emerged as the largest party with 132 seats in the 288-member assembly. Speculation about the CM post has been rife since the election results were announced.

Fadnavis, addressing the media on Saturday, dismissed any dispute over the Chief Ministership and said the Mahayuti leaders would collectively decide on the matter.

BJP to Decide CM Face: Chandrashekhar Bawankule

BJP's Maharashtra unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated that the decision on the next CM would be made by the Mahayuti leaders in consultation with the BJP's central leadership. Bawankule also emphasized that the election results reflect the public’s rejection of Congress, highlighting that Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole barely won his seat by a margin of 208 votes.

No Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly

Following the Mahayuti alliance's massive win, no opposition party in the assembly qualifies for the Leader of Opposition (LoP) position, as none secured the required 29 seats. Bawankule remarked that this outcome reflects the people’s mandate against Congress.

Mahayuti’s Dominance

The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance’s victory has solidified its position in Maharashtra politics, with a clear majority in the assembly. The decision on the Chief Minister will set the tone for the alliance’s governance and policy direction in the coming years.