Sat Nov 23 04:13:45 UTC 2024: ## Maharashtra CM Race Heats Up as Election Results Loom

**Mumbai, November 22:** As Maharashtra awaits the assembly election results on November 23rd, a fierce battle for the Chief Minister’s post is brewing between the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the opposition alliance, Maha Yuti. Both coalitions claim a majority and are confident of forming the government.

While Congress leader Nana Patole earlier predicted an MVA government under Congress leadership, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut countered, stating that the Chief Minister would be decided jointly by the alliance partners if they secure a majority. Raut further challenged Congress’s alleged commitment to making Patole CM, demanding confirmation from the party’s high command, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. This has sparked an early clash over the CM position within the MVA.

On the other side, the Maha Yuti, fueled by positive post-election surveys, remains confident in its victory. Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) spokesperson Sanjay Sirsat backed Eknath Shinde as the next CM, claiming the voters have already shown their preference. BJP leader Praveen Darekar suggested Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis as a potential candidate, while NCP leader Amol Mitkari asserted the NCP’s kingmaker role irrespective of the outcome. Fadnavis himself stated that the Maha Yuti partners would collectively decide on the CM candidate. Darekar further predicted that the Maha Yuti would form the government, emphasizing that the people have given a clear mandate and that neither the MVA nor Congress would lead the next government. Internal disagreements within the MVA are seen as a potential hurdle for the opposition coalition.

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