Maharashtra’s caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde congratulated Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday for being elected as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) legislative party leader. However, Shinde kept everyone guessing about whether he would be part of the new cabinet, leaving the suspense unresolved.
Fadnavis is set to be sworn in as the Maharashtra Chief Minister on Thursday, December 5, at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance. Two deputy Chief Ministers, including NCP leader Ajit Pawar, will also take their oaths during the ceremony. Despite this, it remains unclear whether Shinde will join the new Mahayuti ministry led by Fadnavis.
After meeting Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Fadnavis announced that the swearing-in ceremony would take place at 5:30 pm, with PM Modi attending. He added that he had personally requested Shinde to join the new government, as it was the wish of Mahayuti workers. Fadnavis promised that the coalition would fulfill its commitments to the people of Maharashtra.
Shinde expressed his satisfaction with the two-and-a-half years of governance by the Mahayuti coalition, calling it “remarkable” and “historically significant.” He further noted that the decisions made during his tenure would be remembered fondly.
When asked if he would take the oath alongside Fadnavis, Shinde told journalists to wait until later in the evening for the final decision. Ajit Pawar humorously interjected, saying, “We’ll know about Shinde by evening, but I’ll take the oath,” referring to his experience of swearing in both the morning and evening in previous instances. Shinde smiled and responded, “Dada (Ajit Pawar) has experience of both morning and evening oath-taking,” referencing the 2019 swearing-in of Fadnavis and Pawar, which ended after five days.
Key Updates on Maharashtra CM Swearing-in Ceremony:
- A delegation from the ruling Mahayuti alliance met with the Governor at Raj Bhavan following Fadnavis’s election as BJP legislature party leader.
- The ceremony will be held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with over 40,000 attendees expected.
- PM Modi, 9–10 Union ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers will attend the ceremony.
- Special seating arrangements have been made for 2,000 VVIPs, including leaders from different faiths.
- Approximately 4,000 police personnel will be deployed for security.
- The BJP had a stellar performance in the November 20 Maharashtra elections, securing 132 out of 288 assembly seats.
- The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, including Shiv Sena and NCP, now holds a commanding majority with 230 seats.
- BJP leader Prasad Lad stated that the swearing-in would be a grand affair with ample space for BJP supporters.
- At the legislature party meeting, Fadnavis was unanimously elected BJP’s legislature party leader.
- Eknath Shinde congratulated Fadnavis, calling the formation of the new government “healthy” and wishing him the best.
