The state is will get a new government on October 19, but it’s a big question who will lead this government. Though just five days are left for the process of filing of nominations, the absence of a final word on alliances Congress-NCP and BJP-Shiv Sena makes the race for the CM’s chair more interesting.

The people of Maharashtra expect a strong leader to be sworn in as chief minister. On this front, there appears to be utter confusion. Currently, there are at least a dozen aspirants for the coveted chair — right from the incumbent, Prithviraj Chavan, to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. And there are at least half a dozen from BJP, which is banking on the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah to deliver results. The BJP’s list offers the number one slot to Devendra Fadnavis, followed by union minister Nitin Gadkari, and leaders Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde from the younger lot.