“Mumbai: BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis to Be Sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister for the Third Time Today. Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde and NCP’s Ajit Pawar to Join as Deputy Chief Ministers in the New Cabinet.”
10 Key Highlights of Maharashtra’s Political Milestone
- New Government Formation: After weeks of political negotiations, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar officially staked their claim to form the Mahayuti government by submitting letters of support to Governor CP Radhakrishnan.
- Grand Oath Ceremony: The swearing-in event, set for 5:30 PM in Mumbai, will feature Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of dignitaries, including Chief Ministers from various NDA states.
- Devendra Fadnavis’ Statement: “I met Eknath Shinde and requested him to join us in this government as it aligns with the wishes of Mahayuti workers. Together, we will deliver on our promises to the people of Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said.
- Fadnavis Unanimously Elected: The BJP leader returned to the helm after being elected Leader of the Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party. This follows the Mahayuti alliance’s resounding victory, winning 235 of 288 Assembly seats.
- Dominant Alliance Performance: The BJP secured 132 seats, with allies Shiv Sena and NCP contributing 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
- Opposition Setback: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a crushing defeat. Congress won 16 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 20, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction only 10.
- BJP’s Vision: BJP’s central observer Vijay Rupani and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hailed the Mahayuti as a “double-engine government” poised to accelerate Maharashtra’s growth.
- Shinde Reflects on Governance: Former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde lauded the achievements of the Mahayuti government over the past 2.5 years, calling it a period of “remarkable decisions” that will be remembered in history.
- High Security at Azad Maidan: Mumbai’s Azad Maidan has been heavily secured with over 4,000 police personnel, including SRPF, QRT, and bomb disposal squads. Traffic management involves 280 personnel to ensure smooth flow in South Mumbai.
- Massive Attendance: The event is expected to draw over 42,000 attendees, with special seating arrangements for 2,000 VIPs, including religious and political leaders.
