EMERGING the single largest party winning 133 seats out of the 288, the BJP is all set to stake claim for the chief ministerial post in Maharashtra with Devendra Fadnavis emerging as the front runner.

While the halfway mark for government formation is 145, during campaign closed-door meetings, the party leadership had indicated it should strive to cross the 100-plus mark to ensure its own CM. Indeed, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also indicated that the Assembly polls were to ensure Fadnavis’s return.

The BJP’s tally has ensured its leadership role – its partners, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and NCP led by Ajit Pawar, have won 57 seats and 41 seats respectively.

Even as BJP emphatically said that its allies will be crucial in government-formation, many of its leaders indicated they will not “compromise” on the CM post. Both the Shiv Sena and NCP may have to reconcile themselves to the Deputy Chief Ministership. This is reflected in a palpable concern among legislators of the Shiv Sena and NCP.

“It’s true that the BJP is not in any desperate need for the support of any party to form the government as they have crossed 130 seat mark on their own but we hope that coalition dharma is followed and no one is neglected,” said a Shiv Sena leader who said he would “love to see Eknath Shinde as the CM.”

Echoing this, a leader from NCP said: “We don’t have negotiation power but we feel that since we all fought together as an alliance and won, we stay together in the government as in the previous government.”

During the media interaction in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, “The mandate is for the Mahayuti. We don’t see any dispute on the CM issue. It was decided that all the decisions related to CM post and government formation will be taken together by all three parties. Whatever decision emerges will be acceptable to all.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by Eknath Shinde: “We are happy with the trust reposed by people in Mahayuti. We will remain together and work for Maharashtra.” He further said, “Just as we contested the polls together, after a smooth discussion we will form a consensus and decide on the CM face.”

State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said: “The alliance partners will be treated with respect and will get their due. We will not leave our alliance partners.”

Buoyed by the electoral success, Ajit Pawar, who was fighting a battle for survival and identity against his estranged uncle and NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, heaved a huge sigh of relief.

While accepting the mandate, Ajit Pawar indicated that his party will play an important role in government composition.

“Our priority is to ensure a stable government in Maharashtra. All decisions regarding formation of government will be taken before November 26.”

A senior Shiv Sena leader requesting anonymity said, “Ideally, we would like to have Eknath Shinde continue as the CM. We are not ruling out anything at this moment. We have seen in Bihar that the BJP is the largest party but it still conceded CM post to Nitish Kumar of JD(U).”

Similar sentiments are echoed by NCP leaders who said: “We wanted to see Ajit Pawar in the CM post.” However, both Sena and NCP leaders admit that the final decision will rest with central leadership of BJP.

For, the BJP, its leaders said, its record tally in the state translates into a responsibility to “stand up for the people’s mandate and expectations.”

In 2014, riding the PM Narendra Modi wave, the BJP won 122 seats. With alliance partner Shiv Sena (undivided) it had formed the government with Fadnavis as CM.

Asserting its leadership role, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “We sought the mandate to accomplish the larger goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. To achieve this target role of Viksit Maharashtra was important.”

The state BJP leadership is aware that given the alliance dynamics, it will have to choose, as CM, an individual with administrative capabilities and a vision for Maharashtra.

In the last five years, the state has witnessed two different regimes – Maha Vikas Aghadi and Mahayuti – for almost equal terms.

With the present mandate, said a leader, “where BJP is strongest, alliance partners are weaker and the Opposition the weakest,” the party believes it can provide a “stable, able government” the state needs.