Amit Shah Finalizes Power-Sharing Deal In Maharashtra; Fadnavis Likely To Be CM
Amit Shah Finalizes Power-Sharing Deal In Maharashtra; Fadnavis Likely To Be CM
Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with leaders from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance on Thursday night to finalize a power-sharing arrangement in Maharashtra, paving the way for the formation of a new government in the state. The meeting, which included key figures such as Maharashtra’s caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, focused on discussions over Cabinet positions, the allocation of portfolios, and the distribution of statutory boards and corporations.
Shah is believed to have approved a deal where the Chief Minister’s post will go to the BJP, with two Deputy Chief Ministers—one from the Shiv Sena and one from the NCP. The decision on who will hold the Chief Minister’s position will be finalized in a meeting of BJP MLAs in Mumbai on Saturday, with Fadnavis being the frontrunner. If Fadnavis is appointed, he is expected to retain the Home Ministry, while the Finance portfolio will likely go to the NCP. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena is likely to receive the Urban Development Department (UDD) and Public Works Department (PWD).
A significant development from the meeting revealed that Eknath Shinde, who has held the Deputy CM position, may step down in favor of his son Shrikant Shinde, an MP from Kalyan. Shinde, who previously served as Chief Minister, is reportedly unwilling to serve as Deputy CM under Fadnavis and may prefer to take up a berth in the Union Cabinet. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena is also pushing for representation in the Union government.
The power-sharing agreement also involves careful consideration of caste composition in Maharashtra, with the BJP keen to address concerns within the Maratha community, particularly amid ongoing reservations protests. The party plans to offer prominent Cabinet berths to Maratha leaders if the Chief Minister’s post is not held by a Maratha.
The meeting concluded at midnight, and the new government is expected to be sworn in by Monday or Tuesday next week. Further discussions will be held to finalize Cabinet positions, and the BJP is expected to send observers to Mumbai to gauge the preferences of MLAs before the decision is made.
