BJP’s Big Reveal: Maharashtra Swearing-In Date Confirmed, But the CM’s Post Remains a Mystery
Amid ongoing speculation over the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Saturday that the new government will take the oath of office on December 5 at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for 5 PM.
“The oath-taking ceremony of the Mahayuti government will be held on December 5 at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with the presence of PM Narendra Modi,” Bawankule confirmed.
The announcement comes even as Eknath Shinde, the caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, visited his hometown in Satara, leading to the rescheduling of a crucial Mahayuti meeting to Sunday.
Shinde recently declared that he would fully support PM Modi’s decision regarding the Chief Ministerial position, stating that he has no intentions of hindering the government formation. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has extended support for Devendra Fadnavis, who is considered the frontrunner for the top job.
A senior BJP official indicated that the party would hold a meeting on December 2 to finalize its legislative party leader. Shinde, Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar had also met with BJP chief J.P. Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah late Thursday night to iron out a power-sharing agreement.
The Mahayuti alliance, comprising BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, secured a landslide victory in the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections, winning 230 of the 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 57 and NCP with 41.
In contrast, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback. The Congress recorded one of its poorest performances, securing just 16 seats. Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) won 10, while Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction (UBT) managed 20.
With the Mahayuti coalition firmly in control, all eyes are now on the December 5 swearing-in ceremony, as suspense over the Chief Minister’s post continues.
