Opposition Questions Maharashtra Chief Minister Suspense, BJP Says "No Rush"

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has said Eknath Shinde was "unhappy" after the BJP finalised Devendra Fadnavis as its Chief Minister choice

Four days have passed since the Mahayuti scored a mammoth win in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, but the BJP-led alliance is yet to announce its Chief Minister choice. While the BJP wants Devendra Fadnavis for the top job, its ally Shiv Sena is rooting for its leader Eknath Shinde. The BJP is now holding backroom talks with its ally to iron out differences and prevent embarrassment once it names its choice for the top job.

While the Opposition has been questioning the delay in the Mahayuti naming its Chief Minister pick, BJP sources say they were in no rush to form the government. "We are not looking at any timeline. The government formation in Uttar Pradesh took two weeks," a source said.

Apart from the Chief Minister post, the leaders of BJP, Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP also need to reach an agreement on ministerial berths. Maharashtra can have a total of 43 ministers, including the Chief Minister. The BJP, which won 132 out of the Mahayuti's score of 230, is likely to claim half of the ministerial berths, leaving the rest for allies.