Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis Hints at Mahayuti’s Chief Ministerial Candidate Ahead of Maharashtra Elections
Mumbai, 16th October 2024: Without naming anyone directly, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday hinted that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde may likely be the Mahayuti alliance’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Maharashtra elections. At an event to release a report on the government’s performance, Fadnavis, flanked by Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, remarked, “Our Chief Minister is sitting here,” while addressing the issue.
Fadnavis also challenged NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar to declare the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)’s chief ministerial candidate. He stated, “We don’t need to announce our chief ministerial candidate; our chief minister is already here.” He further taunted, “The MVA is avoiding announcing their candidate because they don’t believe their leader will succeed after the elections.”
The former Chief Minister also revealed that seat-sharing discussions among Mahayuti allies were nearing completion. His calculated comments are viewed as an effort to maintain harmony within the alliance, particularly since both Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are seen as potential contenders for the chief minister’s post.
Eknath Shinde refrained from directly addressing the matter, instead focusing on the alliance’s governance. He stated, “Our two years of work and performance are the face of this alliance,” while taking a jab at the opposition. He also called on the MVA to reveal their candidate for the Leader of the Opposition role.
The MVA, which includes the NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and Congress, has similarly refrained from naming its chief ministerial candidate. Earlier this week, Uddhav Thackeray said the MVA would only announce its candidate after Mahayuti does. “Let Mahayuti announce their face first, and then we will share ours,” Thackeray remarked at a press conference.
Sharad Pawar has previously stated that the MVA’s chief ministerial candidate would depend on which party secures the most seats in the election.
Maharashtra is set to go to the polls on November 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23, alongside elections in Jharkhand.
