As the countdown to the swearing-in ceremony for Maharashtra's new Chief Minister begins, Eknath Shinde finds himself at the center of a political maelstrom. While preparations are in high gear at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, uncertainty looms over who will ultimately take the oath of office. The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, which recently achieved a significant victory in the state elections, has yet to formally approach Governor CP Radhakrishnan to assert their claim for government formation. The leadership trio—Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP, Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar from the NCP—are scattered across various locations, further adding to the air of suspense. Devendra Fadnavis is engaged in activities in Mumbai, whereas Eknath Shinde is reportedly recuperating from an illness in Thane, and Ajit Pawar is visiting Delhi for personal matters.

This morning, the BJP's legislature party will convene at Vidhan Bhavan, where party MLAs are anticipated to select their leader. Although Devendra Fadnavis is widely considered the prime candidate for the Chief Minister role, the delay in the BJP's announcement has fueled speculation about the internal dynamics of the coalition. It is likely that Shinde and Pawar will join Fadnavis after the BJP MLAs finish their meeting. A meeting with the Governor is anticipated tomorrow, aligning with the eve of the swearing-in.

In light of these developments, Shinde has publicly stated that he will not obstruct the formation of the government; he has left the decision regarding the Chief Minister position to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Nevertheless, his absence from Mumbai leading up to this significant day has led to much conjecture. Recently, Shinde was in his hometown of Satara, citing the need for a breather after an intense election campaign, and he now remains in Thane while attending meetings virtually.

The political climate remains charged, with Deepak Kesarkar of the Shiv Sena asserting that the Assembly elections were fought under Shinde's leadership. He emphasized that it falls upon the BJP to uphold Shinde's stature within the coalition. "Our leader has demonstrated his representation of the Shiv Sena. The decision on his stature lies with the central leadership in Delhi. We will refrain from interfering," Kesarkar stated. He further clarified that Shinde is not accountable for the ongoing delays, remarking that the internal selection process is solely the BJP's concern. He dismissed rumors of disputes within the Mahayuti, claiming that discussions are normal when three parties work in unison, stating, "Shinde is not unhappy, and the alliance remains strong."

However, as the hours tick down, Sanjay Sirsat from the Sena has indicated that Shinde is expected to determine by tomorrow whether he will participate in the Mahayuti government. Reports suggest that the Sena is advocating for the Home portfolio, but the BJP has yet to agree to this demand.

The delay in announcing the Chief Ministerial candidate has not gone unnoticed by the opposition. Aaditya Thackeray, a legislator from the Shiv Sena (UBT), criticized the Mahayuti's indecision, stating that it reflects a lack of respect for Maharashtra itself. In a tweet, he expressed the frustration of the electorate: "Despite our numerical strength, we still have no government in Maharashtra; it seems our state is of little importance. They have time for everything else, but our Maharashtra is sidelined."

In a sweeping victory, the Mahayuti coalition secured 230 of the 288 seats in the Assembly, with the BJP holding 132 seats, allowing them to stake their claim for the Chief Ministership. The Shiv Sena managed to secure 57 seats, while Ajit Pawar's NCP won 41.

The opposition, comprising the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, experienced a stark defeat in the state elections, managing only 46 seats collectively after having outperformed the Mahayuti in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Allegations of EVM tampering have surfaced, with calls for a return to ballot voting from the opposition ranks. However, the BJP has categorically dismissed these claims as a typical response from the opposition following a loss. The Election Commission has cautioned that any dissemination of falsehoods regarding EVMs will not be tolerated and may attract consequences.