Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Chief Minister of Maharashtra Thursday evening, capping nearly two weeks of suspense and a tug-of-war between the BJP and the Shiv Sena over the top post.
Sena leader Eknath Shinde and NCP boss Ajit Pawar, whose stellar returns in last month’s election boosted the Mahayuti alliance to a thumping win, were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers, in that order, retaining the existing 1+2 formula, albeit with the big tweak in favour of Mr Fadnavis.
Mr Fadnavis is now a three-time Chief Minister in addition to being a six-time MLA. The return – complete with a nod to his mother Sarita – brings his Arnold Schwarzenegger-style promise to fruition.
Mr Fadnavis, five years ago, was removed as Chief Minister despite the BJP and the then-undivided Shiv Sena cantering to victory in the 2019 election. But the two then split and Uddhav Thackeray allied the Sena with the Congress and the (also then undivided) NCP, leaving Mr Fadnavis in the cold.
“Will Be Back,” Fadnavis Had Said
“Paani utarta dekh, mere kinare par ghar mat basa lena. Main samandar hoon, lautkar wapas aaunga (Seeing the water recede, don’t build a house on the shore. I am the sea, will come back),” he said.
An on Thursday evening, at Mumbai’s iconic Azad Maidan, Mr Fadnavis kept his word, a promise met in large part by twin political masterstrokes by the BJP – destabilising and dividing the Sena and NCP, and picking up the pieces. Those pieces laid the foundation for the Mahayuti’s big win.
The Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawar NCP factions flipped 75 seats won by their parent parties in the last election, leaving the Maha Vikas Aghadi with 49 seats this time around. And much of the credit for re-aligning Maharashtra’s political space was given to Mr Fadnavis. “It took two-and-half years… but I returned after breaking two parties,” he said in March, in what is now a statement of some foresight.
The Mahayuti swept 235 of 288 seats in this election and the BJP finished as the single-largest party with 132 – to ensure it had pole position in the internal race to name a Chief Minister.
Mr Shinde’s Sena claimed 57 and, on the basis of claims his government’s policies paved the way for the BJP retaining power, hoped he would retain the top post. He was made Chief Minister in 2022 after the MLAs he brought with him from Uddhav Thackeray’s side ensured the BJP re-took power.
However, the BJP’s strong show, and the NCP’s quick pledging of support, meant Mr Shinde had little, if any, leverage, particularly since Ajit Pawar’s backing meant it did not need the Shinde Sena.
Eknath Shinde’s ‘Will He, Won’t He’ Buzz
Nevertheless, for 10 days after the election, the Sena continued to lay claim to the Chief Minister’s chair, insisting Mr Shinde’s government’s policies and performance paved the way for the Mahayuti.
But then there followed many twists and turns, including Mr Shinde retreating to his hometown in Satara district for 48 hours to, many believed, signify his discontent at the situation. Days later it seemed Mr Shinde relented; he said he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he would back down.
But then, this afternoon, sources suggested otherwise, that Mr Shinde had reconsidered his decision and party leaders were frantically trying to persuade their boss to be part of the new government.
That back-and-forth was finally put to bed after Mr Shinde rose to follow Mr Fadnavis – who, many pointed out, was seated next to Ajit Pawar and not the Sena leader – in taking an oath of office.
READ | E Shinde Takes Oath As Deputy Chief Minister, Ends Suspense
The dithering by Mr Shinde was being seen by many as an attempt to secure key cabinet berths in the incoming government. Part of the negotiations that saw Mr Fadnavis confirmed as the new Chief Minister saw the BJP keep around 20 cabinet berths and give a dozen to the Shinde Sena.
READ | E Shinde Back On Board After Eleventh Hour “Suspense” Before Oath
Just what these are, or will be, is unclear.
But they will certainly be high-profile posts; the Shinde Sena, sources said, has designs on the Home Ministry, currently held by Mr Fadnavis. At least three other big-name portfolios, including Water Resources and Public Works Department, are also expected to be heading to the Shinde Sena.
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