Mumbai: The Mahayuti alliance, which won the Maharashtra Assembly elections with an overwhelming majority, has not been able to form the government yet. Even after a week has passed as the results were declared, Mahayuti has not staked claim to form the government with the Governor. Meanwhile, acting chief Minister Eknath Shinde has canceled all his meetings. He is resting at home in thane. He had observed two days of silence last week. After this, he held a press conference adn gave most of the suggestions to BJP for power formation. Than after returning from Delhi, Shinde directly reached the village. After staying there and returning, Shinde has canceled all the meetings. In such a situation, the question arises that what is really going on in shinde’s mind?After all, what will Shinde do, what are the 3 possibilities?
1.Meaningful departments with Deputy Chief Minister
In the next BJP government, eknath Shinde can be the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar can be the Deputy Chief Minister. shinde also has the same offer from BJP. If the post of Deputy Chief Minister is to be given, then Shinde demands that the Home Department should also be given. Since the Home Department is important, Shinde will not have any problem if he gets the post of Deputy Chief Minister along with this department. When Fadnavis was the Deputy Chief minister, he held the Home Department. Simultaneously occurring, Shiv Sena argues that Shinde should get the Home Department.
2. Instead of himself, some other leader should be given the post of Deputy CM.
If BJP refuses to leave the Home Department, then Shinde can make some other leader as Deputy CM in his place. The name of Shinde’s son Shrikant was being discussed for this post. Eknath Shinde himself had given a statement yesterday that discussion on pros and cons is going on. But Shrikant Shinde said that he has no desire for any post and termed the news of Deputy Chief Minister as false. the name of Deepak Kesarkar from Shiv sena is being discussed for the post of deputy Chief Minister. Apart from this, names of uday Samant, Gulabrao Patil, Dada Bhuse are also in discussion.
Maharashtra CM: Only CM and 2 Deputy CMs will take oath on December 5, everything will be finalized in the BJP legislature party meeting a day before.
3. External support to the government
Shinde gave three proposals to Amit Shah regarding his demands. The third option mentions external support. If the demands of the department are not met then Shinde can support the government on the issue of Hindutva. This is the proposal he has given to Shah. there is direct politics of pressure in this. If Shinde remains out of the government, he will not be promoted to the post of Deputy Chief Minister. But this can put Shinde in trouble for BJP. This can send a message that BJP did not take the ally party with itself and instead of forming the government with the Hindutva party, it tied up with NCP. This may tarnish the image of BJP in the minds of the public. Shinde may try to create the impression that injustice has been done to him.
What are the key factors influencing the Mahayuti alliance‘s ability to form a government in Maharashtra?
Interview: Strategic Moves in Maharashtra’s Political landscape
Editor of Time.news: Welcome, and thank you for joining us. Today, we have with us Dr. Anjali Verma, a political analyst and expert on Maharashtra’s political dynamics. We’re here to discuss the recent developments surrounding the Mahayuti alliance and its struggle to form a government following the Assembly elections. Thank you for being here, Dr. Verma.
Dr. Anjali Verma: Thank you for having me. It’s great to discuss such a pivotal moment in Maharashtra’s politics.
Editor: Let’s dive into the current situation. Following the Mahayuti alliance’s win, why haven’t they yet staked a claim to form the government?
Dr. Verma: That’s a pertinent question. The delay can be attributed to several strategic considerations. Eknath Shinde, the acting Chief Minister, has surprisingly canceled all meetings and has been relatively inactive as returning from Delhi. His silence indicates a possible internal struggle regarding the power-sharing deal with the BJP.
Editor: Speaking of the BJP, what are the three options available to Shinde as he navigates this power play?
Dr. Verma: The situation presents Shinde with three primary routes. Firstly, he could accept a role as Chief Minister with Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister, supposedly retaining control over significant departments like the Home Department. This is a strategic move as it allows Shinde to maintain power while keeping the vital Home department within his influence.
Editor: That sounds critical for maintaining control.What’s the second possibility?
Dr. Verma: If the BJP is unwilling to concede the Home Department to Shinde, he may propose another leader, possibly his son shrikant or another Shiv Sena member, for the Deputy Chief Minister position. Although Shrikant has publicly denied aspirations for that role, the speculation suggests that Shinde is preparing for this contingency.
Editor: And the third option?
Dr. Verma: The third scenario involves providing external support to the government. Shinde has reportedly conveyed to Amit Shah that if his demands aren’t met, he may support the government on issues aligning with Hindutva. However, this could potentially backfire, as it might project that the BJP is sidelining its ally while associating closely with the NCP, wich could tarnish its public image.
Editor: These options reveal a complex game of political chess. What implications do you see this having for the BJP and the Mahayuti alliance in the long term?
Dr. Verma: The implications can be significant. If Shinde feels marginalized, it could lead to a fracture in the alliance, affecting the BJP’s stability in Maharashtra. Considering the socio-political climate, the alliance needs to present a united front to maintain voter confidence. Moreover, the perception of BJP abandoning its traditional allies may alienate its base, especially among Hindutva-centric voters.
Editor: Given this context, what practical advice would you offer to readers who want to understand these political maneuvers better?
Dr. Verma: I’d encourage readers to stay abreast of the developments through reliable news sources. Understanding the history and ideologies of the parties involved is essential. Enggage in discussions about how these political dynamics might affect local governance and public services. Moreover, being informed about the implications for constituency level politics can empower citizens to hold their leaders accountable.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Verma.Yoru insights into the Mahayuti alliance and the ongoing negotiations within Maharashtra’s politics shed light on the complexities involved. We appreciate your time and expertise!
Dr. Verma: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we stay informed and engaged involved as these developments unfold.