The swearing-in ceremony for Maharashtra’s 31st chief minister is set to take place on December 5 at 1 p.m. at Azad Maidan near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in south Mumbai, BJP MLA from Colaba and State Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar announced on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, several central ministers and chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states and allies are expected to attend the ceremony.
While the BJP has yet to formally elect Devendra Fadnavis as the legislature party group leader, party sources suggest he will take oath as Chief Minister for the third time. Fadnavis previously led the BJP government from 2014 to 2019 and briefly served with Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister for 80 hours before the government dissolved. BJP sources have ruled out other candidates, emphasizing Fadnavis as the natural choice.
The BJP’s legislator meeting to elect its leader is expected on Monday, after which Fadnavis, along with Shiv Sena and NCP, will stake a claim to form the government with Governor CP Radhakrishnan.
In the Assembly elections held on November 20, the MahaYuti secured a landslide victory, with the BJP winning 132 seats, Shiv Sena 57, and NCP 41. Despite contesting under CM Eknath Shinde’s leadership, the BJP has indicated it will retain the Chief Minister’s post.
Discussions on cabinet berths and ministerial posts are ongoing and likely to conclude by Tuesday. Meanwhile, State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule has advised newly elected MLAs on post-formation protocols, emphasizing broad participation at the swearing-in.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) also held a meeting in Nagpur ahead of the December 5 ceremony, acknowledging its key role in the BJP’s election campaign.
(Agency inputs)