As expected, CM Devendra Fadnavis will get yet another term. By electing the 49-year-old as the leader of the legislative party, the BJP sent warring ally Shiv Sena a strong message that it would bulldoze its way and not wait for more than two days if the Sena does not settle for what has been offered in power-sharing.

Sources in the BJP said that the ruling party might go ahead with the swearing-in ceremony alone if the Sena doesn't reach an agreement and persists for a bigger pie. The BJP has shown the willingness in giving Sena at least three more ministerial berths, including deputy chief minister, in addition to what it had been handling between 2014 and 2019. Fadnavis would stake claim to form the second consecutive government to be led by him. In 2014, the BJP's first team was put in the government on October 31. Since the current house dissolves on November 9, the allies have ample days to decide on the power-sharing, but sources said that the inordinate delay would send negative signals to the voters who chose an alliance with a simple majority.