The Shiv Sena has stated its strong demand for Eknath Shinde to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a position he previously held. The party is pushing for a 'Bihar pattern' where Shinde, the leader of the largest coalition party, is given the CM post instead of the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis. The Sena believes that this move will not only be fair, but also prevent its rival (Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray) from gaining popularity and targeting the BJP.
Maharashtra Political Saga: Battle for Chief Ministership Intensifies
The political landscape of Maharashtra has been thrown into turmoil following the Shiv Sena's demand for Eknath Shinde to become the next Chief Minister. The development has sparked a power struggle within the ruling alliance and raised questions about the future of the state.
Background:
The Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray in 1966, has been a dominant political force in Maharashtra. In 2019, the party forged an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the government in the state.
However, internal divisions within the Shiv Sena came to the forefront in June 2022 when Shinde, a senior Sena leader, led a rebellion against party chief Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde claimed that Thackeray had abandoned the party's core principles and aligned himself too closely with the BJP.
Current Situation:
The Shiv Sena, now led by Shinde, is demanding that he be appointed as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, citing its status as the largest coalition party. The BJP, on the other hand, is backing its own candidate, Devendra Fadnavis, who served as the Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019.
The Sena's demand is based on the "Bihar pattern," where the leader of the largest coalition party gets the Chief Minister post. The party argues that this move would be fair and prevent its rival (Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray) from gaining popularity.
The BJP, however, maintains that it has the mandate to lead the government as it won the most seats in the 2019 assembly elections. The party also points to the fact that Shinde's faction does not represent the majority of the Shiv Sena legislators.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Who is Eknath Shinde?
Eknath Shinde is a veteran Shiv Sena leader who served as the Urban Development Minister in the Uddhav Thackeray government. He is seen as a loyalist of Bal Thackeray and has been a vocal critic of Uddhav Thackeray.
2. What is the "Bihar pattern"?
The "Bihar pattern" is a political arrangement where the leader of the largest coalition party is given the Chief Minister post, regardless of whether their party won the most seats in the elections.
3. Why is the BJP not supporting Eknath Shinde?
The BJP maintains that it has the mandate to lead the government as it won the most seats in the 2019 assembly elections. The party also argues that Shinde's faction does not represent the majority of the Shiv Sena legislators.
4. What are the implications of the political crisis in Maharashtra?
The political crisis has thrown the state into uncertainty and raised questions about the stability of the government. It could also lead to a split in the Shiv Sena and impact the party's electoral fortunes in the future.
5. What is the future of the Maharashtra government?
The future of the Maharashtra government is uncertain. The BJP and Shiv Sena are locked in a power struggle, and it remains to be seen whether they can reach a compromise or if the state will head for mid-term elections.
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