Maharashtra CM Suspense to End Today? BJP Firm on Devendra Fadnavis, Says No to Bihar Formula

Mumbai: The suspense over Maharashtra’s next Chief Minister is expected to end today, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly firm on backing Devendra Fadnavis for the top post. This comes after Eknath Shinde, the incumbent CM, resigned on constitutional grounds, though uncertainty over his successor has lingered.

As the ruling Mahayuti alliance continues its internal discussions, the BJP has made it clear that it will not adopt the “Bihar formula” for power-sharing, a model that involved a rotational CM arrangement in Bihar. BJP national spokesperson Prem Shukla firmly stated that no such commitment was made to the Shiv Sena regarding the Chief Minister’s position in Maharashtra.

Shukla further emphasized that, unlike in Bihar, where the BJP formed an alliance with Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) to make inroads into the state, Maharashtra has a different political dynamic. “There is no such commitment in Maharashtra, and the BJP’s organizational strength and leadership are far stronger here. Unlike in Bihar, we never promised a rotational CM arrangement with the Shiv Sena,” Shukla clarified.

The statement has put to rest any speculation regarding a power-sharing deal similar to the one in Bihar, where the JD(U) and BJP agreed to a rotating Chief Minister arrangement. In Maharashtra, BJP leadership has consistently maintained that the decision on the CM post would be based on the electoral outcome, with Fadnavis being the likely choice.