Posters Depicting Ajit Pawar as 'Future CM' Put Up in Baramati as Parties Stake Claim for Top Post

Pune: Even before the announcement of Maharashtra assembly election results, posters of NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar , describing him as the "future Chief Minister" were put up as in Baramati in Pune.

This comes days after the Maharashtra assembly elections were held for all 288 seats in a single phase. Meanwhile, the results for the high-stake election will be declared after counting of votes on November 23, Saturday. Putting up of posters reflects the aspirations of the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) who is also vying for the top post.

This reflects that fissures have already emerged within the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on the selection of CM's face with constituents in both camps laying claim over the chief minister's post. The ruling Mahayuti allaince comprises the BJP , Shiv Sena and NCP while the opposition MVA consists of the Congress , Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP).

Parties Stake Claim for Top Post

Both the alliances have expressed confidence that their respective alliance will form the next government after votes are counted on Saturday. Several parties in both alliances have expressed hope for getting a CM of their own party.

While a majority of exit polls have predicted that Mahayuti will retain power, a few have favoured the MVA. Soon after polling, state Congress president Nana Patole said an MVA government would be formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of his party.

Reacting to Patole's remarks, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said the chief ministerial face will be decided by all alliance partners jointly once the MVA secures a majority in the 288-member House.

On the Mahayuti side, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA and party spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said the state assembly elections were contested with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the face. Whereas BJP leader Pravin Darekar pushed the name of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to be the CM. On the other hand, NCP leader Amol Mitkari batted his for party chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for the coveted job.

The final voter turnout in the assembly polls was 66.05 per cent, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019, according to the Election Commission.