As suspense lingers over the Mahayuti alliance’s choice for Maharashtra’s next chief minister, Shiv Sena leader Sheetal Mhatre has claimed that the Maratha community overwhelmingly supports Eknath Shinde continuing in the top post.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mhatre highlighted Shinde’s contributions to the Maratha community, including implementing a 10% reservation under the Economically and Socially Backward Category and initiatives through the Annasaheb Patil and Sarathi corporations. She asserted, “The Maratha community stands behind Shinde and the Mahayuti, with growing calls for the CM to be from the Maratha community.”
Despite the BJP-led Mahayuti’s landslide victory, winning 230 of the 288 assembly seats, the alliance has yet to reach a consensus on the chief ministerial candidate. While Shinde, a Maratha leader from Satara, remains a strong contender, BJP leader and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis—hailing from Nagpur’s Brahmin community—is seen as a frontrunner due to the BJP’s dominant performance.
Adding to Shinde’s favour, women beneficiaries of the “Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana” met him recently to express gratitude for the scheme, which provides eligible women Rs. 1,500 per month and is credited for boosting Mahayuti’s success.
The decision over Maharashtra’s leadership is expected to have significant implications, especially with upcoming local body elections looming on the horizon.
