Ahead Of Maharashtra Election Results, Mahayuti And MVA Grapple With Internal Rifts Over Chief Minister Post

With the counting of votes set for Saturday (23 November), disagreements have already surfaced in both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), as members of each camp stake claims to the chief minister's post.

After the polling for Maharashtra's 288-member assembly concluded on Wednesday, both the ruling and opposition alliances expressed confidence that the mandate would favour them when votes are tallied on 23 November.

With the two alliances comprising six parties, chances are slim of a clear mandate for any single party.

Following the polling, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole expressed confidence that the MVA would form the next government under Congress's leadership.

Voting trends suggest the Congress will get the maximum number of seats in the new assembly, he said.

Patole's statement drew criticism from ally Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who emphasised on Thursday that the alliance partners would jointly decide the chief ministerial candidate if the MVA secures a majority.

Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, stated that if the Congress high command had endorsed Patole as the chief ministerial candidate, party leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should announce the same.

The MVA—comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP)—and the Mahayuti—consisting of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP—have both expressed optimism about forming the next government after votes are counted on Saturday.

Most exit polls suggest the Mahayuti will retain power, though some indicate their could be a tough fight.

On Mahayuti side, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat highlighted that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was the alliance's face during the assembly elections.

"Voters have shown their preference for Shinde through voting. I think it is Shinde's right (to be the next chief minister) and we are confident that he will be the next CM," Shirsat said.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Pravin Darekar advocated for Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to assume the top role, saying, "I think if anyone from the BJP is becoming the CM then it will be Devendra Fadnavis".

NCP leader Amol Mitkari proposed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as a candidate for the chief minister's position, asserting, "Whatever the results, the NCP will be the kingmaker".

When questioned about the chief ministerial candidate, Fadnavis stated that the Mahayuti parties would sit together and take a "good decision".

While speaking to reporters separately, BJP leader Darekar asserted that the Mahayuti would form the next government while dismissing the MVA's chances, pointing to internal divisions within the opposition bloc.

"The people of Maharashtra have given a clear mandate. The Chief Minister will be from the Mahayuti, not the MVA, and certainly not the Congress," he asserted.

Highlighting fissures within the MVA, Darekar said, "Congress MP Praniti Shinde and her father and former CM Sushilkumar Shinde supported an independent candidate against Uddhav Thackeray's nominee in a constituency in Solapur district. These internal rifts expose a lack of unity. How can parties without internal coherence decide on a Chief Minister?"

Darekar dismissed Patole's aspirations for the chief ministerial post as "mungerilal ke haseen sapne" (daydreaming).

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