Devendra Fadnavis is finally in the saddle after taking oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday ending the 12-day suspense as the wheels of the Mahayuti 2.0 government started to move. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took oath as deputy CMs at a grand ceremony at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Thursday evening. The event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers and chief ministers of various states besides thousands of supporters had all the making of a gala political extravaganza. The ceremony was not bereft of drama. Shinde veered off-script launching into a speech thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, and also praising Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, taking many by surprise. We wonder what that meant -- whether it's a sign of contentment or an outward expression to deceive onlookers.
Fadnavis sits in the CM's chair for the third time and would certainly hold better confidence after the roller-coaster second tenure which lasted for a few days. This time around, his government is expected to be stable with 132 MLAs in the 288-member house. In 2019, BJP had 105 while in 2014 its tally was 122. Through the years, Fadnavis has certainly mastered the tricks of the political trade, but despite the comfort in numbers, he has monumental challenges ahead.
For one, the BJP has made lofty election promises despite the debt crisis the State is facing. There is a baggage of the past that is haunting, and it is growing bigger by the day. Fadnavis will have to do a fine balance between financial stability, growth, and demands. The BJP may have tried to placate allies with deputy chief ministerial positions, but delivery would still be the key. Fadnavis would be closely watched on how he manages coalition politics and administration because there are a lot of promises to keep.
Shinde may have heaped praise on Modi and Amit Shah, but the BJP will be wary of his political ambitions. The Maharashtra government formation was taking time because there was indecisiveness over leadership. Ajit Pawar too comes with aspirations. There is an unpredictable combination at the top and that makes it all the more difficult for Fadnavis to negotiate.
Besides fiscal balance, Maharashtra is grappling with unemployment and agricultural distress. Successive governments have not managed to take a stranglehold over these issues, and for the promise shown by the BJP in the build-up to this election, there will be high expectations from Fadnavis. The downsides of coalition governments are about satisfying partners and meeting their, sometimes outrageous, demands. In a desperate attempt to keep allies in good humour, leaders remain handicapped and delivery suffers.
The new chief minister will have to carefully evaluate existing programmes and consider a pivot towards initiatives that encourage entrepreneurial growth, provide vocational training, and address skill shortages. By fostering an environment conducive to business and job creation, Fadnavis could work to alleviate the unemployment crisis while bolstering Maharashtra's economic foundation. But even before he gets there, he will have to do some hard bargaining for portfolios because the demands of allies would be something the new CM will have to ponder.
There is a lot at stake and much to prove. Fadnavis's leadership skills and ability to maintain friendships with allies will be tested this time.
