New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deputed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani as observers for a crucial December 4 legislative unit meeting in Maharashtra where the party is likely to pick the next chief minister of the state.
The developments came amid protracted stalemate over government formation.
The focus has been on caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde and his demands even as stalled talks between the BJP and the Sena resumed and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar flew into Delhi on Monday night for a possible meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah.
On Wednesday, the 132 lawmakers of the BJP will elect their leader, who is likely to be the next chief minister of Maharashtra and also stake claim to power on behalf of the Mahayuti.
Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is the front-runner for the post, though no official announcement has been made yet.
Once the chief ministerial candidate is announced by the central observers in consultation with the parliamentary board over phone, the name is expected to be announced by Thursday noon.
The meeting at the central hall of the state legislature is expected to be followed by a meeting between leaders from three constituents of the Mahayuti – the BJP, the Sena and the NCP — to discuss the sharing of power.
After that, the BJP’s chief ministerial nominee along with Sena chief Shinde and Ajit Pawar will proceed to Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government, according to state BJP leaders. Notably, the Mahayuti won 235 out of 288 seats in the November 20 assembly elections, trouncing the Maha Vikas Aghadi which won just 50 seats.
