November 29, 2024: In a significant development in Maharashtra's government formation talks, leaders of the Mahayuti alliance, including Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah late Thursday evening to discuss key leadership positions in the state. Sources close to the BJP revealed that while the party is determined to bring Devendra Fadnavis back into the role of Chief Minister, it is equally eager to bring Eknath Shinde into the fold as the Deputy Chief Minister to send a strong message of unity within the ruling coalition.

Fadnavis, who had previously served as Maharashtra's Chief Minister but was sidelined for a brief period in the interests of party strategy, is being rehabilitated by the BJP to restore the "wrong" that many perceived when he was made to play second fiddle to others. The BJP leadership views Fadnavis as a key figure for leading the state government, with his experience and political stature providing much-needed stability.

However, the party is equally committed to bringing Shinde into the government fold in a prominent role. Shinde, a senior leader of the Shiv Sena who has held the position of Chief Minister in the outgoing government, had earlier expressed his willingness to abide by the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Despite this, the BJP leadership has emphasized the importance of making Shinde feel valued and respected, especially after his pivotal role in recent political developments in Maharashtra.

"The idea is to project a unified front," a BJP source explained, "and having Eknath Shinde as the Deputy CM would send a clear message of solidarity within the coalition. Additionally, it will also help the party reduce its dependence on Ajit Pawar, who has his own political base."

While there has been speculation that Shinde, after having served as the state’s Chief Minister, might find it difficult to accept a deputy role, insiders within the BJP have downplayed these concerns. They pointed out that such political shifts are not unusual in Maharashtra politics, citing Fadnavis himself, who had briefly served as the Deputy CM after his tenure as Chief Minister. Additionally, the outgoing government already had two Maratha leaders in key positions—Shinde and Ajit Pawar—so having another Maratha leader in the deputy role is not expected to pose any problems.

The BJP is also mindful of the fact that it won 132 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly in the recent elections, and although it has the support of five additional MLAs, it still falls short of a clear majority. Given this situation, the BJP is keen to ensure that key positions within the government are strategically filled to strengthen its position and maintain harmony within the alliance.