The Mahayuti is set to return to power in Maharashtra, with a thumping victory. The BJP is itself winning over 100 seats, while its allies Shiv Sena and NCP have also performed well. Now, the question on everyone’s mind is: Who will be the next chief minister?

The Mahayuti, an alliance of NCP, BJP, and Shiv Sena, is facing a dilemma over who will become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with both Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis refusing to back off.

As Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde thanked the ‘ladki bahins’ for Mahayuti alliance win in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections, we take a look at the Ladki Bahin scheme and eligibility criteria.

The results are in and the Mahayuti alliance — comprising the BJP, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena — have secured a stunning victory in the state of Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the JMM-Congress alliance in Jharkhand has defied exit polls and triumphed.

In the Shahapur Assembly, Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded Daulat Daroda, who won with a margin of 1672 votes. Daroda defeated the NCP candidate Barora Pandurang Mahadu, who was led by Sharadchand Pawar. Mahadu lost and received a total of 71409 votes.

A win in Maharashtra would vindicate Eknath Shinde's government and show that its welfare approach to vote sourcing won out over any ideological issues in the State

While there is no confirmation on the next CM face from the Mahayuti alliance, which comprises Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar), Fadnavis’s name is at the top of the list in the speculation.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is poised for a landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, securing a commanding lead in over 220 seats. While the alliance celebrates its triumph, the question of whether Devendra Fadnavis or Eknath Shinde will become the next chief minister remains a point of intense speculation.