Even before the first votes are counted in Maharashtra, fissures emerged within the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on who would head the next government with constituents in both camps laying claim over the chief minister’s post. After polling for the 288-member Assembly ended on Wednesday evening, the ruling, as well as opposition fronts, have started claiming that the mandate will be in their favour when votes are counted on November 23.

Soon after polling, state Congress chief Nana Patole asserted an MVA government would be formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of his party. Voting trends suggest the Congress will get the maximum number of seats in the new assembly, he said. His remarks did not go down well with ally Shiv Sena (UBT), whose leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday insisted the chief ministerial face will be decided by all alliance partners jointly once the MVA secures a majority.