Devendra Fadnavis To Take Oath As Maharashtra CM Today With Shinde, Pawar As Deputies; PM Modi To Attend

Devendra Fadnavis is set to take the oath as Maharashtra's next chief minister on Thursday, alongside two deputies, after being elected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) legislative party unit. This move ends nearly two weeks of uncertainty over government formation.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Mumbai's Azad Maidan at 5:30 pm on Thursday, marking a significant chapter in the career of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) loyalist. Fadnavis previously served as chief minister from 2014 to 2019, briefly returned to the role for five days in 2019, and has now led the BJP to its strongest-ever performance in the 2024 assembly elections.

Outgoing chief minister Eknath Shinde and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar are also expected to take the oath at the ceremony, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I have personally requested Shinde saheb to be part of the new government. The post of chief minister or deputy chief minister are just technical things. All three of us will work together for the state," Fadnavis said, with Shinde and Pawar seated beside him.

When asked about his participation in the swearing-in, Shinde responded, "Wait until the evening." Pawar interjected, saying, "We will know about Shinde by evening, but I will take it (oath), I will not wait." Shinde smiled and quipped, "Dada (Ajit Pawar) has experience of taking [oaths] both in the morning and evening," referring to the early morning swearing-in of 2019 when Fadnavis and Pawar briefly formed a government that lasted just five days.

Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar met with governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan, where the Mahayuti coalition staked its claim to form a government with the backing of 236 legislators.

This development resolves the deadlock following the Mahayuti's landslide victory over the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which won only 50 seats in the November 20 assembly elections. However, Shinde's initial reluctance, reportedly linked to health concerns and dissatisfaction over key portfolios, kept the state guessing.

On Wednesday, Fadnavis and Shinde held a 30-minute meeting at the chief minister's residence, Varsha, but no immediate breakthrough was reported. Nonetheless, Shinde publicly supported Fadnavis. "I am glad that two-and-a-half years ago, Fadnavis ji extended his support for me becoming chief minister at the same place we are sitting now. And now, I am supporting him for the top post," he said.

Earlier, the BJP convened a meeting of its 132 newly elected MLAs and senior leaders. Former state BJP presidents Chandrakhant Patil and Sudhir Mungantiwar proposed Fadnavis's name as leader, and several others, including Pankaja Munde and Sanjay Kute, seconded the motion. The announcement was made by BJP observers Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.

Sitharaman, in her address, highlighted the "unexpected and unprecedented" mandate in Maharashtra and Haryana, interpreting it as a call for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) and "Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain" (United We Are Safe). She added that a "double-engine government" under Modi and Fadnavis would deliver on the Mahayuti's manifesto promises.

Fadnavis echoed these sentiments, stating, "The mandate has also posed a challenge of the huge responsibilities and expectations of the people of Maharashtra. Our priority would be to complete assurances given by us to various sections of society, including farmers and women, and keep the state in the top position."

The coalition includes the Shiv Sena, NCP, Jan Surajya Shakti led by Vinay Kore, Yuva Janashakti led by Ravi Rana, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha led by Mahadev Jankar, and two independents.

The ceremony will be attended by Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, chief ministers from NDA-led states, former Maharashtra chief ministers, foreign diplomats, actors from Bollywood and Marathi cinema, religious leaders, farmers, and beneficiaries of the BJP's Ladki Bahin welfare scheme, which was instrumental in the party's victory.

BJP leader Prasad Lad revealed that nearly 42,000 people are expected at the event. "PM Modi, nine to ten Union ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers will attend the ceremony," he said.

Special seating arrangements have been made for 40,000 BJP supporters and 2,000 VVIPs, including religious leaders and dignitaries. Over 4,000 police personnel will be deployed to ensure security during the event.