Sources have informed India Today that Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde has declared his right to the position of chief minister as the ruling Mahayuti made a strong comeback in Maharashtra’s Assembly elections.
Sources have said that Shinde’s assertion is grounded in the leadership he offered that facilitated Mahayuti’s recovery following the Lok Sabha defeat and his role as the mastermind behind Ladki Bahin Yojana.
The BJP has become the largest party in the Maharashtra elections, ahead in more than 130 out of the 149 seats where it presented candidates. Indeed, the number of seats won by the BJP is more than twice the amount secured by the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Some members of the BJP are urging for Devendra Fadnavis to become the next chief minister of Maharashtra.
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Sources revealed that the BJP high command has been deliberating on the chief minister’s post over the past few months. On Saturday, Fadnavis avoided addressing the controversial issue of the top position.
After the disappointing Lok Sabha results in May, the Shinde administration launched a series of announcements for welfare schemes focusing on women, the elderly, and the youth.
The main focus was on the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which was inspired by the BJP’s Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh. The plan provides Rs 1,500 every month to women from impoverished families. The Mahayuti pledged to increase the amount to Rs 2,100 monthly if they remained in power.
The strategy was a game-changer for the Mahayuti coalition, enabling them to address anti-incumbency and strengthen support among female voters. Indeed, according to the Election Commission, the female voter participation increased from 59.26% in the 2019 election to 65.21% this year.
