Amid the suspence for the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister, state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed on Saturday that the new government of the Mahayuti alliance will form on December 5. The swearing-in ceremony for CM will take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Oath-taking ceremony of the Maha-Yuti Government in Maharashtra: it will be held in the presence of the pride of the world, Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 5 PM at Azad Maidan, Mumbai," the Maharashtra BJP president posted.
Speaking to ANI, Bawankule said, "Mahayuti achieved a historic mandate under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The oath-taking ceremony of the Mahayuti government will be held in Mumbai's Azad Maidaan, in the presence of PM Narendra Modi, on 5 December 2024. The wait is over, I congratulate the people of Maharashtra."
This comes as Devendra Fadnavis is said to be the frontrunner for the top post.
According to news agency PTI, a senior BJP leader said that Devendra Fadnavis, a senior BJP leader and former two-time chief minister, is the frontrunner for the top post.
Another BJP leader mentioned that the swearing-in ceremony is expected to be held at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, after a meeting on December 2 to select the BJP legislature party leader.
The Mahayuti alliance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) retained power by marginal victory with 230 of the 288 seats in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls.
During this elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party, securing 132 seats, followed by Shiv sena winning 57 seats and NCP with 41 seats. Despite the results being declared a week ago on November 23, government formation has been delayed as the tripartite alliance has yet to decide on the next chief minister of the state.
Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar Express Full Support To BJP's Decision
Late Thursday, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar held discussions with BJP president J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Amit Shah to finalize a power-sharing agreement. However, a key Mahayuti meeting scheduled for Friday was postponed, likely to take place on Sunday, as caretaker Chief Minister Shinde travelled to his native village in Satara district, further delaying the process.
Caretaker Chief Minister Shinde has expressed full support for the BJP’s decision on the next chief minister, stating he will not hinder the process. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction has also endorsed Fadnavis for the role.