“End of Thaw…”: Fadnavis Meets Eknath Shinde at Varsha Bungalow to Finalise Mahayuti Alliance Seat-Sharing Deal

Amid rising tensions and uncertainty, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met with Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the latter’s residence, Varsha Bungalow, on Tuesday evening. Sources suggest that this meeting was “a pivotal step” in finalising the seat-sharing formula for the Mahayuti Alliance. Though the meeting was officially described as a courtesy call after Shinde's hospitalisation earlier in the day due to health issues, insiders claim that “the thaw has been broken” in the ongoing discussions about power-sharing arrangements between the alliance partners. Even after a resounding victory, Mahayiti with a whopping 230 out of 288 assembly seats, yet the alliance couldn’t stitch together a cabinet or decide on the post of the Chief Minister in over 10 days since the results came out on November 23.

Seat-Sharing Formula: BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP in Focus

While the alliance three main parties—BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP have consistently denied any internal rifts, sources reveal that disagreements have surfaced over the seat-sharing arrangement. One major sticking point has been the role of Eknath Shinde. Shinde's Shiv Sena has reportedly rejected the proposal for him to serve as deputy chief minister, insisting that the alliance went into the polls with the understanding that Shinde would remain Maharashtra's Chief Minister.

Following Tuesday’s evening meeting, sources indicate that the seat-sharing deal is nearing resolution. According to the latest details, BJP will be allocated 22 ministerial positions, Shiv Sena will receive 10-12, and NCP is set to get 7-9 portfolios. However, key uncertainties remain, particularly whether Shinde will accept Fadnavis as Chief Minister without his party securing the Home Ministry—an influential portfolio previously held by Fadnavis.

BJP’s Probable Cabinet Picks include:

* Mumbai & Western Maharashtra: Ashish Shelar, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Rahul Narvekar, Ravindra Chavan, Ganesh Naik, Nitesh Rane, Atul Bhatkhalkar
* Western Maharashtra: Madhuri Misal, Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Gopichand Padalkar
* Vidarbha: Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Sanjay Kute
* North Maharashtra: Jaykumar Rawal, Girish Mahajan
* Marathwada: Atul Save, Pankaja Munde

Shiv Sena Ministers expected to join the cabinet include:

* Eknath Shinde
* Shambhuraj Desai
* Dada Bhuse
* Gulabrao Patil
* Sanjay Rathod
* Uday Samant
* Arjun Khotkar

NCP Ministers likely to be inducted:

* Ajit Pawar
* Chhagan Bhujbal
* Aditi Tatkare
* Dhananjay Munde
* Sanjay Bansode
* Anil Bhaidas Patil
* Narhari Zirwal

CM Announcement and Oath-Taking Ceremony

Despite widespread speculation that Devendra Fadnavis will be appointed as Chief Minister, an official announcement was yet to be made. The Mahayuti alliance has not yet confirmed Fadnavis’s position, with the final decision expected to be made at the BJP State Legislature Party meeting scheduled for December 4. The swearing-in ceremony for the new government is slated for December 5.