Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024: Battle For Chief Minister's Post Set To Be Even More Complex

Maharashtra is bracing for a fiercely contested assembly election on November 20, with the stakes higher than ever. As the political drama unfolds, one thing is certain- the tussle for the Chief Minister’s chair after the results are announced on November 23 will be far from straightforward, irrespective of which alliance emerges victorious.The state's political landscape is rife with tension, with both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) factions set to engage in a high-stakes power struggle. Many political observers are predicting a post-election political reconfiguration, reminiscent of the dramatic upheaval seen in 2019, when alliances shifted unexpectedly, ultimately leading to a surprise government formation.What makes this election especially complicated is the number of influential claimants to the Chief Minister’s position—on both sides of the political divide, only two names seem to be in the running, and both are determined to hold onto power.

Shiv Sena vs BJP: Rivalry Within the Ruling AllianceOn the ruling side, the Mahayuti (a coalition led by Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde and the BJP) is already marred by internal tensions. Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena faction after a split in 2022, is eager to secure the Chief Minister's position again. Surveys suggest Shinde enjoys considerable popularity, but his path to power may not be entirely clear-cut.While the BJP, which has been the dominant partner in the coalition, has long been the kingmaker in Maharashtra politics, Shinde's ally, former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is also eyeing the top post. Fadnavis, a seasoned leader with a substantial support base, has already signalled his ambitions, despite his subordinate role in the 2019 government formation. The BJP's central leadership, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is said to be backing Fadnavis, with Shah recently praising him at a public rally, mentioning Fadnavis alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but omitting Shinde’s name entirely.Fadnavis’ supporters remain disgruntled over his 2019 appointment as Deputy Chief Minister, a decision that came after considerable pressure from the BJP leadership. His reluctance to accept the role at that time, coupled with the symbolic gesture of adding an extra chair during the oath-taking ceremony to accommodate both leaders, has left a lingering sense of dissatisfaction within his camp. With whispers of a repeat of that scenario, the battle for the Chief Minister's chair in the event of a Mahayuti victory is expected to be anything but easy. MVA: The Opposition's Internal StrugglesThe MVA, which includes the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), Nationalist Congress Party (SP), and Congress, faces its own set of complications when it comes to selecting a Chief Minister. Uddhav Thackeray, who led the state from 2019 to 2022, has made it clear that he is not willing to step aside for anyone else in the alliance. While Thackeray has not explicitly demanded the top post, there is little doubt that he would fight to retain it if the MVA emerges victorious.However, the Congress, which holds 13 Lok Sabha seats and commands significant influence within the alliance, has voiced its claim to the top job as well. Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan recently stated that the party with the highest number of MLAs in the assembly should be given the Chief Minister’s position—a remark likely to stir further debate within the MVA camp.In addition, there is speculation that Sharad Pawar’s faction of the NCP might throw its weight behind a fresh candidate—Supriya Sule, the veteran leader’s daughter. While Sule has not yet formally declared her intentions, her name has begun to surface in discussions as a possible contender for the Chief Minister’s post. A New Political Landscape?The 2024 Maharashtra elections are shaping up to be a complex and high-stakes affair. Whichever side emerges victorious, the battle for the Chief Minister’s position is expected to be far from settled. With multiple leaders and factions vying for power, and alliances in a constant state of flux, Maharashtra’s political future remains uncertain, leaving many to wonder whether a political reconfiguration akin to 2019 is on the cards once again.