Maharashtra CM Suspense Ends: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis will take oath as the chief minister on Thursday, while Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar will be deputy chief ministers. Only three prominent leaders will be sworn in tomorrow.
The oath-taking ceremony will be held tomorrow at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are likely to be present on the occasion. BJP is scheduled to hold its legislative party meeting to elect its leader this evening.
Mahayuti leaders are set to meet the Governor at 3:30 pm on Wednesday to stake their claim to form the government, following the BJP’s legislative meeting earlier in the day.
Shinde and Fadnavis met on Tuesday at the Varsha bungalow in Mumbai as discussions over the next Maharashtra Chief Minister. According to sources, the 30-minute meeting focused on preparations for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 5 December at Azad Maidan.
This marked Shinde’s first meeting with Fadnavis after recovering from illness. Shinde had been in his hometown Satara before returning to Mumbai on Monday. Earlier in the day, Shinde underwent a medical check-up at Thane’s Jupiter Hospital and assured the media that his health was fine.
Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale addressed media queries about Shinde’s role in the government formation, stating, “Devendra Fadnavis had come to meet him Eknath Shinde to inquire about his ill health. After a decision is taken, Eknath Shinde will take the oath.” Gogawale dismissed rumours of Shinde being upset, adding, “He had a meeting with the central leadership – Modi ji and Amit Shah, and there might be a meeting tomorrow as well. Decisions will be taken there (by PM Modi and Amit Shah). We are not adamant about any department.”
Sources reveal that the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is pushing for 12 key portfolios, including the Home and Urban Development Ministries. However, the BJP is reportedly reluctant to part with the Home Ministry, a portfolio historically contested by Shinde since his time in Uddhav Thackeray’s cabinet.
The NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, is also making strategic demands. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal highlighted the party’s “better strike rate” in the alliance as a basis for seeking an equal share of seats with Shinde’s Shiv Sena. “If we look at the strike rate in our alliance, BJP is at number one, Ajit Dada’s NCP is at number two, and the Shinde group is at number three. So our demand is that we should get as much space as them [Shinde Sena],” Bhujbal stated.
