Eknath Shinde Resigns as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Caretaker Role Assigned Until New Appointment

Eknath Shinde resigned as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Tuesday, just days after the ruling Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the state’s assembly elections. Shinde met with Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan to tender his resignation. The Governor has requested that Shinde remain as caretaker chief minister until a new leader is appointed. His resignation comes amidst speculation over who will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavis of BJP and Ajit Pawar of NCP accompanied Shinde. The term of the current Maharashtra assembly is set to expire on November 26.

The battle for the Chief Minister’s post has become a point of contention between BJP and Shiv Sena. According to reports, BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party in the election, is pushing for Devendra Fadnavis to return to the CM's chair. The BJP won 132 out of the 148 seats it contested, while its ally Shiv Sena secured 57 seats. The NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, won 41 seats. Meanwhile, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), faced a major setback. Thackeray’s faction won only 20 seats, Congress secured 16, and the NCP(SP) managed just 10 seats.

In the run up to the post of the Chief Minister and advocating for Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena has pointed to the political scenario in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar holds the Chief Minister’s position despite the BJP being the larger partner in the coalition. Shiv Sena leaders argue that this should be the case in Maharashtra as well, with Shinde continuing as Chief Minister.

While BJP leaders favor Fadnavis, Shiv Sena MLAs are backing Shinde to retain the position. The NCP, under Ajit Pawar’s leadership, has reportedly decided to support Fadnavis. With the BJP holding 132 seats, Shiv Sena 57, and NCP 41, the alliance only needs one of its allies to support Fadnavis to reach the magic number of 145 in the 288-member assembly.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre expressed that the Maratha community strongly wants Shinde to remain in office. She also mentioned that his continued leadership is crucial with local body elections approaching in the state. Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske echoed similar sentiments, demanding that the BJP honor its alliance and give Shinde the CM post. He criticized the BJP for allegedly using and discarding its allies.

Shiv Sena minister Deepak Kesarkar also stated that party legislators believe Shinde should remain Chief Minister due to his effective leadership and the Mahayuti’s success in the polls. However, he emphasized that a collective decision would be made by Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar.​