Even before the Maharashtra Assembly results, when Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Mahayuti have started claiming their respective victories, an internal struggle has also started between the two alliances over the CM’s post. After voting for the 288-member Assembly in Maharashtra on Wednesday, the counting of votes will be done tomorrow. But immediately after the voting, state Congress chief Nana Patole said that the MVA government will be formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of his party. Regarding this, Nana Patole said, ‘The voting trend shows that the Congress will get the maximum seats in the new Assembly.’ This statement of Nana Patole did not go down well with the ally Shiv Sena (UBT). UBT leader Sanjay Raut asserted on Thursday that the chief ministerial face will be decided jointly by all the alliance partners after the MVA wins the majority. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut further said on the matter, “If the Congress high command has told Patole that he will be the face of the chief ministerial post, then the party’s national president Mallikarjun Kharge and its top leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should announce it.” The MVA, which includes the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), and the Mahayuti, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, have expressed confidence that their alliance will form the next government after the counting of votes on Saturday. Although most exit polls have predicted that the Mahayuti will retain power, some have supported the MVA. On behalf of the Mahayuti, Shiv Sena MLA and party spokesperson Sanjay Sirsat said, “The assembly elections were fought as the face of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Voters have shown their preference for Shinde through voting. So I think it is Shinde’s right to become the next Chief Minister and we are confident that he will become the next Chief Minister.” BJP leader Praveen Drakar spoke in favour of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the top post, saying, “I think if anyone from the BJP becomes the CM, it will be Devendra Fadnavis.” NCP leader Amol Mitkari put forward the name of his party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for the prestigious post, saying, “Whatever the results, NCP will be the kingmaker.” When asked about the face of the Chief Minister’s post, Fadnavis said, ‘All three Mahayuti parties will sit together and take good decisions.’