Mumbai: As the Maharashtra assembly elections are are nearing their completion, the bottome of the contests have been laid down. The state’s 288 constituencies will go to the polls on 20 November and there promises to be plenty of fighting in front of the polling booths. The two main political camps and potential future governing coalitions — the Mahayuti that is currently in power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi — are doing everything they can to gain voters’ support and win the elections before 48 hours of official silence starting from the November 18.
In the heat of the contest for a place in legislative assembly and in their constituencies, there remains a question mark over one of the most desirable offices in a state – that of a Chief Minister. Neither the, Mahayuti nor the Maha Vikas Aghadi has come out clear on whom they want to fill the number one post hence continuing to fuel and heighten the suspense of who will occupy the much cherished position.
Among the partners of Mahayuti alliance three most favourites are reportedly being considered for the role of the chief ministerial candidates in the polls. The Maha Vikas Aghadi is no different and Uddhav Thackeray is said to be actively eyeing the position though no official word has been said. Nana Patole, Congress stronghold represents the face of the party at the moment And the name spreading in the faction of Sharad Pawar’s NCP is Supriya Sule.
At present, Eknath Shinde is in the commanding heights but there is equally powerful contender from NCP Ajit Pawar and BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis. While Fadnavis showers praise on Shinde on occasion, he has not uttered a whisper about his own aspiration to become chief minister. There are several factors that are determining Shinde’s future as the Chief minister in Maharashtra based on the performance of the Mahayuti in the election.
Unfortunately, this is a novel picture in terms of seat-sharing between the three parties in the Mahayuti alliance. The BJP is in the fi eld for 149 seats while Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP are fi elding candidates in 81 and 59 constituencies respectively. Even though Mr Fadnavis is currently a Deputy Chief Minister of the state in the Shinde government, given the BJP’s dominant political position and his previous experience as a CM, his right to the top job cannot be fully ruled out.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi is also facing the problem of the leader their chief ministerial candidate. As with many contenders, internal leaders are much more careful. That there is certainly scope for a woman Chief Minister has been debated with Sharad Pawar agreeing to having a woman Chief Minister and launching younger sister Supriya Sule into the forefront. Another candidate which has surfaced is Uddhav Thackeray whose presence at different campaign trails has only stirred the rumour mills.
Therefore it could be safely said that what was once an election for 288 seats has turned into a contest of power for the chair of Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Six fearsome combatants await the public’s verdict for the top position – three from each coalition is fairly compelling. But as this campaign reaches its climax, the voices of leaders are mostly missing, and people of this state are waiting with bated breaths to chose the new chief minister of Maharashtra.