The top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has kept the name of the new Maharashtra Chief Minister under wraps even as supporters in the party and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) pushed for their respective favourites. There was no apparent move from the party to hold the newly elected MLAs’ meeting in Mumbai. The other two Mahayuti partners have already chosen their leaders. However, speculations were rife after BJP’s hot contender, ex-CM Devendra Fadnavis left for New Delhi on Monday.

Soon, it was learnt that Fadnavis was in the national capital to attend Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s daughter’s wedding. His staff said he wasn’t scheduled to meet with the party high command, and would return to Mumbai late on Monday night. The contest for the CM’s post is between Fadnavis and incumbent Eknath Shinde, but the final say rests with the BJP high command, which is known for throwing surprises. It is said that the BJP’s Legislative Party meeting will be held only after the name of the CM is decided. The CM-elect will submit a list of Mahayuti MLAs to the Governor, who, in turn, will invite him to form the government.