Maharashtra assembly polls: NCP picks Ajit Pawar as House group minister, prefers Devendra Fadnavis for CM

MUMBAI: While Ajit Pawar was on Sunday unanimously elected group leader of the NCP legislature party, sources said that on the question of the chief minister's post, the party has taken the view that in view of the assembly poll results, it would be appropriate if Devendra Fadnavis is placed at the helm of affairs in the state.

"In June 2022, Eknath Shinde had brought 40 legislators with him (thus getting the CM's post), but now the BJP has 132 seats," sources in the NCP said, indicating the party's preference.

The NCP legislature party meeting presided over by party chief Ajit Pawar was attended by working president Praful Patel, state NCP president Sunil Tatkare and food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal.

Tatkare confirmed to TOI that Ajit Pawar's election as leader of the legislature party was unanimous. "NCP legislators congratulated Ajit Pawar on the unprecedented victory in the assembly elections," Tatkare said.

On the new CM, Tatkare said the matter will be decided after a joint meeting of senior leaders of the Shiv Sena, NCP and the BJP high command. "There is no dispute, nor is there a race for the post. The new CM will be elected soon," he said.

Tatkare attributed the Mahayuti's massive success in the polls to the "impressive" performance of the Mahayuti govt, particularly the Ladki Bahin scheme, which has so far benefited 2.4 crore women across the state. "The finance department led by Ajit Pawar was instrumental in effective implementation of the scheme. Adequate financial provision has been made for it," he said.

Tatkare said newly-elected leaders of the NCP, Shiv Sena and BJP legislature party will soon call on the governor and stake claim to form the govt. "I am sure the entire exercise will be completed in a day or two," he added.

The NCP won 41 of the 59 assembly seats it contested. Ajit Pawar himself won from his hometown Baramati, where the Sharad Pawar-led NCP had fielded a member of the Pawar family, Yugendra, against him; Yugendra lost by a huge margin. Most of the trusted aides of Sharad Pawar who had joined the Ajit Pawar camp won the election.