Statistically Speaking: How Do Numbers Stack Up If Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar Join MVA

Elections in Maharashtra are over, but suspense on the name of Chief Minister of the state remains uncovered. BJP emerged as the single largest party in the 288-member assembly election with 132 winning candidates. The Mahayuti alliance comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar) contested the Maharashtra election under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, but now, it seems that the BJP will move Eknath Shinde aside.

His party, Shiv Sena, won 57 seats. While, the third alliance partner, NCP Ajit Pawar, clinched 41.

Before the assembly elections, everything was good, well-planned, and perfectly coordinated between Mahayuti's top 3 leaders.

But soon after the Maharashtra election results were announced, speculations started to surface that BJP's Devendra Fadnavis will be the next Chief Minister, resulting in rumours that Eknath Shinde faction is not happy.

However, Eknath Shinde in his presser clearly said that he will accept PM Narendra Modi's decision. But reports suggest that the Shinde fraction is demanding top ministries including Home Affairs, Finance, and Urban Development in exchange for the CM's post, which is not acceptable to the BJP and Ajit Pawar group.

Mahayuti's Thursday's 4-hour meeting at Home Minister Amit Shah's residence also ended with no result. Another high-level meeting was scheduled for Saturday, November 30, but reportedly unhappy Eknath Shinde has decided to skip the meet and has left for his village Satara.

Amid all the ruckus, Maharashtra election results have started to trend on the internet again, claiming that if Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar decide to rejoin Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), then the Opposition may form the government.

What Statistics Say:

To form a government in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, the required number is 145. Eknath Shinde has 57 MLAs, while 41 members of Ajit Pawar's NCP claimed victory. MVA members Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar) have 16, 20, and 10 members respectively.

2 Samajwadi Party MLAs are also standing with MVA aka INDIA bloc.

This takes the total to 146, one more than the majority mark.

But the big question that still remains unanswered is "Will Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar switch sides to form MVA's government"? If they don't get portfolios of their choice.