BJP firm on Devendra Fadnavis as CM: Bihar model doesn’t apply in Maharashtra

Shukla’s comments came on a day when Shinde resigned as Chief Minister of the previous government to mark the end of the 14th Assembly and was asked by Governor C P Radhakrishnan to take charge as the head of a caretaker administration till the new regime is sworn in.

Given the decisive results, with the BJP bagging an overwhelming 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (57) and NCP (41), it is learnt that the BJP leadership in Delhi is not happy with the “pressure tactics” adopted by Shinde supporters to make him Chief Minister again.

A senior BJP leader said the growing clamour among Sena leaders “has not gone down well” in Delhi. “The top leadership has categorically conveyed to Shinde and Ajit Pawar its decision to make Fadnavis the next CM. The BJP state legislature meeting is likely to be held in a couple of days in Mumbai where the formal announcement will be made.”

The Delhi-based leader also indicated that the deadlock will be resolved soon in the BJP’s favour, and even pointed to the possibility of a joint legislative meeting where BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP “will endorse the candidature” of Fadnavis.

On Monday, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske had called for the “Bihar pattern” to be implemented “for the chief ministerial position, and Eknath Shinde should become CM again”.

The BJP, however, remained firm on Fadnavis. “With a mandate of 132 seats, there is no question of surrendering the CM post. The party had paid the price once when Fadnavis was made to give up the CM post to accommodate Shinde in 2022,” another senior BJP leader said.

According to BJP sources, the party leadership is also trying to placate Shinde by offering him a role in the Centre, apart from “good portfolios” in the state.

Shinde, meanwhile, sought to turn down the heat in a Monday night post on X. “After the great victory of Mahayuti, our government will be formed once again in the state. As Mahayuti, we contested the election together and are still together today. Out of love for me, some people have appealed to all to gather in Mumbai. I am deeply grateful for your love. But I appeal that no one should gather in my support in such a manner,” he posted.

Echoing that tone, senior Sena leader and former minister Deepak Kesarkar said Tuesday that any decision taken by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi “will be acceptable to all”.

“Every party feels that the CM should be from their side but the leaders of all three parties have made it clear that whatever decision PM Modi and Home Minister Shah take, it will be acceptable to all. Shindeji is not upset and there are no differences among the Mahayuti allies,” Kesarkar said.

Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat said “the CM face will be declared in a day or two after a meeting of the three leaders and after consultation and discussion” with the BJP top brass.

Meanwhile, Union minister and NDA ally Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale advised Shinde to “step aside” and let Fadnavis assume the CM’s role.

“Shindeji and his party feels that another chance should be given to him, and the Bihar pattern should be implemented in Maharashtra. But the situation is different in Maharashtra and the Bihar pattern cannot be implemented. I think he (Shinde) should be part of the state government and become Dy CM. If he doesn’t want to be Dy CM, he can become a Union Minister in Delhi after speaking to Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Modiji,” Athawale said.

The advice, however, drew a sharp response from the Sena. “We have immense respect for Athawaleji, but I wish to say that we do not need his advice. Let us take decisions in our party,” said Sena MLA Uday Samant.

BJP sources, meanwhile, said the party wants to make the swearing-in ceremony a “grand event” to convey a “bold message to political rivals who have been routed”. The composition of the Cabinet, along with a CM and two Deputy CMs, is being worked out with caste composition and regional interests under consideration.

“At the Shivaji Park rally, which marked the conclusion of the Assembly polls campaign, Prime Minister Modi had said the Mahayuti government will be formed within eight to ten days after results. Accordingly, the process of a new government will happen,” a BJP poll manager said.

Incidentally, Modi had earlier congratulated Fadnavis in a note addressing him as “mere param mitra” (my dearest friend) even as he referred to the Shiv Sena chief as “Shree Eknath Shindeji” and NCP’s Ajit Pawar as “Ajit bhai”.