In a dramatic turn of events following a resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde submitted his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan today. Shinde will continue to serve as the caretaker Chief Minister until a new leader is appointed. The term of the current government officially ends today, with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar accompanying Shinde during the resignation process.
Following the landslide win for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, Shinde expressed confidence in the future of the government, stating on social media, “After the great victory of Mahayuti, our government will be formed once again in the state. As a Maha Yuti, we contested the election together and are still together today.”
As speculation mounts over the next Chief Minister, BJP MLAs are reportedly rallying behind Devendra Fadnavis, with sources indicating that the party leadership in Delhi has already cleared his name for the position. However, sources within the Shiv Sena have raised concerns, stating that no consultations have taken place regarding Fadnavis’s potential appointment, and no agreement has been reached on the new Chief Minister.
The swearing-in of the new Chief Minister is expected to take place on December 1, with the new government set to include 20 MLAs as Cabinet Ministers. Ten BJP MLAs, along with six from Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena and four from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), will be inducted into the Cabinet.
In a related development, senior IPS officer Rashmi Shukla took charge as Maharashtra’s new Director General of Police on Tuesday, a day after her reinstatement to the post following the state assembly elections. She paid tribute to fallen officers at the Commissioner of Police Office in Mumbai.
As Maharashtra navigates this political transition, all eyes remain on the leadership contest, with the BJP asserting that the final decision on the Chief Minister will be made by the party’s central leadership. Senior BJP leaders, including state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, have emphasized the need for a smooth government formation process, involving consultations with Shiv Sena and NCP allies. Despite ongoing discussions, clarity on the CM’s position remains elusive, although Fadnavis’s strong backing within the BJP suggests he could emerge as the front-runner.
