Fadnavis Prays at Siddhivinayak Temple Before Taking Oath as Maharashtra's New CM

Devendra Fadnavis, ahead of taking the oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time, visited the Siddhivinayak Temple. This visit follows the declaration by the Mahayuti alliance to form a government 12 days after the Maharashtra Assembly election results were announced. On December 5, Fadnavis will take the oath as Chief Minister, accompanied by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, who will assume the roles of Deputy Chief Ministers. On December 4, Fadnavis, Shinde, and NCP leader Ajit Pawar met Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan to stake their claim for government formation. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Mumbai’s historic Azad Maidan at 5:30 PM, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states, and central ministers in attendance. In the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP secured 132 seats, Shiv Sena won 57, and NCP bagged 41 seats. With a total of 230 seats, the Mahayuti alliance is set to form the government. However, there is ongoing contention between Shiv Sena and NCP over the position of the number two party in the alliance. Fadnavis, credited with BJP’s resounding victory in the state elections, is set to return as Chief Minister for the third time. He previously held the position from 2014 to 2019 and again for a brief period after the 2019 Assembly elections, with Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM. The oath ceremony is expected to be attended by over 40,000 BJP supporters. Special arrangements have been made for 2,000 VIPs, including leaders from various religious communities. Over 4,000 police officers have been deployed for security, along with additional forces from the State Reserve Police, Quick Response Teams, riot control units, and bomb disposal squads. Traffic advisories have been issued in anticipation of the event.