Devendra Fadnavis is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on December 5, sources have confirmed following a BJP core committee meeting. According to reports, Fadnavis’ name was finalized during the crucial meeting held to elect the BJP legislature party leader.
The decision came after the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti alliance secured a significant victory in the recent state elections. Fadnavis, who was widely considered the frontrunner, will meet the governor to stake a claim to form the new government. The swearing-in ceremony, pending since the election results, is expected to take place soon.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani were appointed as central observers for the BJP legislature party meeting. Rupani confirmed that the legislature party leader’s name would be finalized after talks with the newly elected MLAs.
The BJP secured 132 out of 288 seats in the state, marking its best performance, while Shiv Sena won 57 and NCP secured 41 seats. With its allies, the Mahayuti coalition holds a majority of 230 seats.
On Tuesday, Fadnavis met caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his official residence in Mumbai. While Shinde had earlier sparked speculation about his unhappiness with the formation process, he later clarified that he would not oppose the BJP’s decision to take the chief minister’s post.
