Mumbai
Azad Maidan in Mumbai will witness a historic political event this evening as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. The event, set to take place at 5:30 pm, marks a significant moment in the state’s political landscape, with Devendra Fadnavis set to take oath as the Chief Minister for the third time. Two deputy chief ministers will also take their oaths during the ceremony, although the full cabinet composition and portfolio assignments are yet to be finalized.
The grand ceremony is expected to attract around 40,000 BJP supporters, with approximately 2,000 VVIPs in attendance, reflecting the overwhelming support Fadnavis commands within the state. The event signifies the culmination of a tumultuous 11-day political drama following the Mahayuti alliance’s decisive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections held on November 20.
Earlier this week, BJP leadership confirmed Devendra Fadnavis as their choice for the Chief Minister’s position. After intense speculation, Fadnavis’s appointment comes as a clear reflection of his political prominence and leadership. His swearing-in ceremony will be the first major step in establishing the new government.
In his address during the legislature party meeting, Fadnavis expressed his gratitude to the people of Maharashtra for their overwhelming support, attributing the alliance’s success to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The slogans “Ek Hai To Safe Hai” and “Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai” encapsulated the sense of unity and confidence that has driven the BJP’s success in the state.
“I bow before the people for giving us such a massive mandate,” Fadnavis remarked, acknowledging the public’s faith in his leadership. The decision-making process for selecting the Chief Minister followed an extensive meeting with the party’s core committee, which included key figures such as state BJP unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, senior leaders like Raosaheb Danve, and former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.
BJP stalwarts Sudhir Mungantiwar, Pankaja Munde, Ashish Shelar, and central observers, including Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, were present at the meeting where Fadnavis was unanimously nominated as the party’s pick for Chief Minister. Following the announcement, Fadnavis met Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan, who formally invited him to form the next government.
In his statement to the press, Fadnavis expressed confidence in the government’s ability to fulfill its promises to the people of Maharashtra. He emphasized that the governance would be a collective effort, with decisions made through a consensus-driven approach. A notable moment came when Fadnavis acknowledged the role of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, which played a critical role in shaping the current political landscape in Maharashtra.
As Fadnavis steps into his third term as Chief Minister, the political future of Maharashtra is poised for new directions, with the BJP-Mahayuti alliance setting its sights on delivering the promises made to the people. The swearing-in ceremony marks just the beginning of this new chapter in the state’s governance.
