Three days after the Assembly election results were declared, the stalemate continued over nominating Maharashtra’s chief minister-elect. However, statements made by a minister and information from various quarters indicated that incumbent Eknath Shinde’s wish to continue in the top job would be far from fulfilled and, as expected, his deputy, Devendra Fadnavis, would make a grand comeback in the coveted office, provided the party high command doesn’t throw a surprise as seen in some BJP-ruled states where popular choices were replaced by the low-profile candidates who fitted the party’s social engineering.
 
The delay was punctuated by the BJP and Sena canvassing for their respective choices. Supporters held prayers, conducted havan and visited temples to seek ‘divine intervention’ to make their leader the CM. But what stood out on Tuesday was Union Minister of State for Social Justice and President of RPI Ramdas Athawale’s information that he knew that Fadnavis was the BJP’s only pick for the posthead of the Maharashtra government. A leader close to Fadnavis said a decision was expected soon.

Athawale’s advice