Who will be Maharashtra's next chief minister? Mahayuti and MVA's dilemma before the outcome of the assembly poll

The 2024 Maharashtra election results reveal internal strife as leaders from both parties—Mahayuti and MVA—claim the chief minister's seat.

Results of the 2024 Maharashtra election: The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the ruling Mahayuti appear to be at odds over who would form the next administration as Maharashtra prepares to tally ballots for its 288-member parliament on Saturday, November 23. Internal strife is being revealed as leaders from both parties vie for the position of chief minister.

With both groups certain of winning the mandate, the polling, which concluded on Wednesday, has set the ground for fierce jockeying.

MVA chief ministerial dispute When Nana Patole, the president of the Maharashtra Congress, said that the Congress would lead the alliance government, if one were to be created, it caused a rift inside the MVA. According to Patole, "the Congress will win the most seats," according to voting trends.

Shiv Sena (UBT), an ally of the MVA, reacted sharply to his comments. Senior leader Sanjay Raut stated that the alliance partners would collectively decide on the CM's face. Sanjay Raut was quoted by news agency PTI as saying, "If the Congress high command has chosen Patole, its senior leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, or Rahul Gandhi should announce it."

The Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar group) have united to form the MVA, which has positioned itself as a united front against the Mahayuti government. Patole's remarks, however, draw attention to possible conflict within the group.

The CM race in Mahayuti
In the Mahayuti camp, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat reaffirmed that current chief minister Eknath Shinde was the obvious candidate for the top position and that the election was contested under his leadership.

However, NCP leader Amol Mitkari campaigned for his party chairman, Ajit Pawar, to assume the position, while BJP leader Pravin Darekar backed deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Dismissing MVA's chances of formingAdditionally, he accused MVA leaders—including Congresswoman Nana Patole and NCP MP Supriya Sule—of engaging in unlawful actions, such as using bitcoins to finance elections, which both leaders have refuted.

Increased attendance and the backing of women
Voter turnout increased from 61.1% in 2019 to 66.05%, according to the Election Commission of India. Darekar attributed the grassroots voter mobilization to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He also credited the government's Ladki Bahin Yojana with helping the Mahayuti win over female votes.

The struggle for the position of chief minister is expected to be as intensely contested as the election itself, with alliances fighting internal conflicts and declaring victory before the results are in.

the government, Darekar declared, "All three Mahayuti partners will decide the CM together." He further attacked the opposition for having "internal rifts," citing instances such as Congress MP Praniti Shinde's support for an independent candidate in Solapur over a Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee.

Allegations and exit polls
Some exit polls favor the MVA, but the majority forecast a Mahayuti victory. Darekar emphasized that independent winners would probably back the ruling alliance and rejected the exit polls.