‘Not a stable alliance’: India’s BJP faces test as coalition set to control Maharashtra

Despite the coalition’s electoral win in the state, analysts say negotiations over government roles reveal the alliance’s weaknesses

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Maharashtra’s chief minister contender and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis (C) shows a victory sign after winning a majority in the Maharashtra state assembly elections, at the BJP head office in Mumbai, India, on November 23. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:42pm, 4 Dec 2024

An alliance headed by India’s Bharatiya Janata Party is set to form the government in the strategic state of Maharashtra on Thursday after a contentious battle for cabinet roles revealed mounting tensions between the ruling party and its key allies in the state.

The BJP-led alliance, known as Mahayuti, secured a commanding victory in last month’s state elections, winning 235 out of 288 seats in Maharashtra’s legislature, with the BJP claiming 132 seats. However, the path to government formation has been anything but smooth, analysts say, highlighting how the BJP must adapt to a more collaborative governance style with regional partners compared to previous years when it could dictate terms to its partners.

Late on Wednesday, the BJP’s Maharashtra branch selected Devendra Fadnavis as the party’s leader in the state legislature, effectively positioning him to become chief minister, according to local media reports.

The road to installing Fadnavis as Maharashtra’s chief minister has been anything but smooth, with former state chief minister Eknath Shinde, leader of the regional Shiv Sena party, reportedly driving a hard bargain over cabinet positions for his party members.

Shinde reportedly held back from meeting BJP leaders by saying he was unwell, which many saw as a ploy to secure his chosen positions.

Maharashtra’s chief minister contender and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis, waves to supporters as he celebrates after winning a majority in the Maharashtra state assembly elections at BJP head office in Mumbai on November 23. Photo: EPA-EFE

“The BJP wants to have its way. It is not a hugely united alliance. Each one is trying to undermine the other. I don’t think it will be a stable alliance,” said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, an independent political commentator.