Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Clyde Crasto has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting Eknath Shinde to secure victory in the Maharashtra elections. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Crasto expressed his concerns over the ongoing uncertainty regarding the next Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra, accusing the BJP of misusing Shinde for electoral gain.
“The whole issue of who will be the next Maharashtra CM is becoming a big question,” Crasto said. “During the elections, the BJP consistently stated that they were contesting the polls with Eknath Shinde as the face of the Mahayuti alliance. Now, when the time has come to fulfil that promise, they are suddenly raising concerns about the ‘Bihar model’ and other issues. This clearly shows that they have used Eknath Shinde to win the elections.”
Crasto went on to suggest that Shinde, who led the Shiv Sena faction in the run-up to the election, was being treated unfairly by the BJP. “This is injustice to Shinde,” he remarked. “Are they trying to imply that he is not good enough to be the CM? Or is it simply that the BJP has used him for their own benefit and now they want their own man as CM? Whatever the case may be, they have received the mandate from the people, and they must respect it. The BJP needs to announce the Chief Minister who will lead Maharashtra towards prosperity.”
Crasto’s comments come at a time of growing speculation over the future leadership of Maharashtra following the state assembly elections held in November. Despite the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance securing a majority in the polls, a decision on who will be the next Chief Minister has yet to be finalised. On November 26, Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai suggested that a meeting would be held between the top three leaders — Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar — to resolve the deadlock over the CM’s position.
“Who will lead our Mahayuti alliance and who will be the CM? Our three leaders, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, will sit together and discuss this matter,” Desai told ANI. “Whatever decision they come to will be accepted by all the MLAs of the Mahayuti alliance, and that decision will be implemented.”
Desai’s comments highlight the internal dynamics within the alliance, with each party pushing for a leader from their own ranks to assume the top post. “As a Shiv Sainik, I believe that our main leader, Eknath Shinde, should be the Chief Minister,” Desai added. “Similarly, the BJP leaders are advocating for Devendra Fadnavis to take on the role. However, all three leaders will sit together and discuss the matter, and a solution will emerge from these discussions.”
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Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale weighed in on the debate, expressing his support for Fadnavis as the next Chief Minister. “The people of Maharashtra want Devendra Fadnavis to lead the government,” Athawale said on Tuesday. He suggested that Shinde, if not made CM, could be appointed Deputy CM or even join the Modi government at the Centre. “Fadnavis is the popular choice, and the BJP should respect the will of the people,” he added.
The tussle over the Chief Minister’s post has left many in the state waiting for clarity, as each of the three key leaders from the Mahayuti alliance has a strong base of support within their respective parties. Fadnavis, a prominent BJP leader, is a former Chief Minister and remains a key figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Shinde, who recently led a rebellion within the Shiv Sena, has a significant following within the party, while Ajit Pawar, a senior NCP leader, also commands considerable influence.
The situation has led to growing uncertainty about the future leadership of Maharashtra, with the BJP now under increasing pressure to resolve the deadlock. Crasto’s remarks underscore the frustration within the opposition over the BJP’s handling of the situation, with many feeling that the party is playing politics at the expense of the people’s mandate. The coming days are likely to see intense political negotiations as the Mahayuti alliance works towards reaching a consensus on who will lead the state.
