In a much awaited development following the BJP led Mahayuti’s landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections, reports say that Devendra Fadnavis is set to take oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan tomorrow, starting his third term in the top post.
The BJP leadership finalised Mr Fadnavis today as its choice for the Chief Minister post, potentially ending the long-drawn suspense over who would get the top job. Soon after, his name was placed before the newly elected legislators and their approval finalised his selection.
Official invitation card of swearing-in ceremony with Devendra Fadnavis mentioned as Chief Minister of Maharashtra released by state government.
(Pic: Team of Devendra Fadnavis) pic.twitter.com/WPCtLIjJye
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2024
Reports indicate that Maharashtra’s caretaker CM Eknath Shinde has consented to serve as the deputy chief minister in the new Mahayuti government after intensive negotiations regarding the state’s power-sharing formula.
India Today reported that this is a notable development, as Eknath Shinde had previously shown reluctance to accept the role of deputy to Devendra Fadnavis, who is set to become the next Maharashtra Chief Minister.
The oath-taking ceremony for the new Mahayuti government is scheduled for December 5. Eknath Shinde will be sworn in alongside Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar at a prominent ceremony at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.
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On Tuesday evening, Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP met Eknath Shinde, marking their first face-to-face meeting since their discussions in Delhi last week about forming a new government. The details of the one-hour meeting remain unclear.
Devendra Fadnavis, widely seen as the leading candidate for the chief minister role in the new BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition government, met Eknath Shinde at ‘Varsha’, his official residence in Mumbai. Some speculate that this meeting was an effort by the BJP to reassure an ally considering its options, while others believe it was an initial discussion ahead of the upcoming swearing-in ceremony, according to reports.
As preparations for the swearing-in ceremony at Azad Maidan intensify, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, around 2,000 VVIPs, and approximately 40,000 supporters, the identity of the new chief minister remains unclear.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, appointed as central observers for the BJP legislature party meeting, arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday evening.
Earlier in the day, Eknath Shinde visited a private hospital in Thane for a health check-up, fueling political speculation in Maharashtra. Shinde, whose party Shiv Sena is part of the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, has been unwell recently. His decision to visit his village in Satara district last Friday led to speculation that he was dissatisfied with how the new government was forming.
Reports also indicate that portfolio distribution among the three coalition allies, including Ajit Pawar’s NCP, could face challenges. Sena leaders mentioned on Monday that, as per alliance conventions, their party should be allocated the home portfolio if the CM position goes to the BJP.
The BJP achieved a significant victory in the November 20 Maharashtra elections, securing 132 out of 288 seats, its best performance in the state to date.
