FOR SHINDE, IT IS NOW OR NEVER

But Fadnavis remains frontrunner for CM's post

- Ravikiran Deshmukh

The thumping win of the Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra's state assembly polls has triggered intense speculation over the next chief minister. While incumbent Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is lobbying hard to retain his position, the BJP seems poised to wrest control with its heavyweight, Devendra Fadnavis, as a front-runner.

Shinde, who steered the Shiv Sena faction to an electoral sweep, claims his initiatives, especially the Ladli Behan scheme (Marathi version of Madhya Pradesh's Ladli Behna scheme), propelled Mahayuti to victory. His camp argues that replacing him could undermine the coalition's stability, especially with crucial civic elections looming. Shinde's supporters point to his visible role during the campaign as justification for his continuity.