Mahayuti Leaders To Meet Guv At 3.30 pm After BJP's Key Meet Today

The leaders from the Mahayuti alliance comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction, will meet Governor C P Radhakrishnan at 3:30 pm today to stake a claim to form the state government, said Maharashtra BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar.

A crucial BJP legislature party meeting scheduled at the Vidhan Bhavan to elect its leader who will take oath as the Chief Minister on Thursday. Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is widely regarded as the frontrunner for the top post in the new Mahayuti government.

"After the meeting at Vidhan Bhavan, all Mahayuti leaders will head to the Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor and submit their claim to form the government," PTI quoted Mungantiwar as saying. BJP MLA Ram Kadam, speaking at the Vidhan Bhavan, added, "You will hear good news soon. The BJP legislature party leader will be someone the entire state wishes to see as Chief Minister."

Power-Sharing Formula Finalized

While the alliance has yet to officially announce the new Chief Minister, sources indicate that the distribution of ministerial berths has been settled. A power-sharing formula has reportedly been agreed upon, allocating one ministerial post for every six MLAs a party has.

This arrangement will grant the BJP 20 to 22 ministerial posts, given its 132 seats. The Shiv Sena is likely to receive 12 spots, while Ajit Pawar's NCP faction is expected to secure 9 to 10 ministerial positions.

Further announcements regarding the Chief Minister and Cabinet portfolios are expected in the coming days.

The Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive majority in the November 20 Assembly elections, winning 230 of the 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, followed by Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction.