The race for Maharashtra’s next Chief Minister has set the political arena ablaze, but the lingering suspense is testing the patience of voters across the state.

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Mahayuti’s seismic victory in the aftermath of the Lok Sabha polls took everyone by storm. While Eknath Shinde may be the face of this triumphant alliance, let’s not mince words—Devendra Fadnavis is the strategic genius who engineered this historic win. Shinde has indeed emerged as a formidable leader, but the blueprint for this coalition’s dominance was crafted by none other than Fadnavis himself.

Meanwhile, sections of the media are attempting to chalk up Mahayuti’s success to the lure of freebies, citing the popularity of the Ladki Bahin Yojana as a major factor. While the scheme undoubtedly resonated with voters, it’s far from the sole reason behind the coalition’s sweeping success.

Maharashtra’s deeply entrenched caste equations are another pivotal factor in this saga. Historically, the Maratha community has wielded unmatched political clout, producing 13 Chief Ministers and dominating key sectors like land ownership, education, and cooperatives. Despite comprising just 30% of the population, their influence towers over the state’s power structures. Conversely, the Brahmin community, which constitutes about 10% of the population, has had a far more limited political footprint.

This election saw a fascinating twist: while Maratha votes were splintered, OBC votes—representing nearly 35% of the population—rallied solidly behind Mahayuti. Yet, the idea of a Brahmin CM remains contentious. Maratha leaders like Sharad Pawar and Jharange Patil have historically resisted this, often invoking historical references to Peshwas to stir up Maratha pride.

It’s no secret that Pawar and the INDI bloc are banking on igniting a Maratha-versus-Brahmin narrative to regain political ground. Such tactics could offer them a lifeline, but Mahayuti seems prepared to counter the rhetoric with calculated moves of its own.

If the BJP leads the CM selection, Fadnavis emerges as the most deserving candidate. However, in the caste-driven ecosystem of Indian politics, his chances appear slim. The BJP may instead unveil an OBC leader as a compromise, neutralizing opposition and consolidating its voter base further. Fadnavis, ever the disciplined Karyakarta, would likely embrace such a decision with grace.

In the grand chessboard of Indian politics, the stakes are sky-high. With Modi’s eventual retirement on the horizon, BJP’s central leadership may also be keen on retaining strong leaders like Fadnavis, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Yogi Adityanath in their respective states, ensuring continuity of governance.

In the end, politics is a game of strategy, survival, and surprises. Expect the unexpected—because in this high-stakes drama, everything is fair.
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