Fadnavis, Shinde to reverse roles in Maharashtra as BJP reclaims CM post; swearing-in tomorrow

After almost two weeks of deadlock, BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has announced that Devendra Fadnavis will be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The announcement comes hours after former CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde agreed to be part of the new Maharashtra government as one of the two deputy Chief Ministers.

Fadnavis's name has been announced after a significant BJP legislature party meeting earlier in the day at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan to select their leader.

The BJP had appointed Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani as central observers for this crucial meeting.

Fadnavis will now head to meet the governor and stake a claim to form the new government in Maharashtra.

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Ahead of the announcement of Fadnavis's name, Mumbaikars got the indication as his photo was seen on some posters with “Aaaple Deva Bhau Mukhyamantri" written on them.

Maharashtra election results 2024 were declared on November 23. The mandate was largely in favour of Mahayuti which won 235 seats in the 288-member assembly.

Showstopper BJP

In the Mahayuti alliance, BJP alone won a whopping 132 seats, while Shinde-led Shiv Sena . bagged 57 and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) secured 41.

Winner takes it all

Soon after the resounding performance of Mahayuti, with BJP bagging most seats, the tussle for power began, subsiding the victory celebration.

Shiv Sena wanted Shinde to be reinstated as Maharashtra CM citing that the alliance won the election under his leadership and even highlighted his popularity in the state and the Marathi community.

BJP, on the other hand, was pitching for Fadnavis as the party won the most number of seats in the alliance.

With Fadnavis being named as the new Maharashtra Chief Minister, the BJP is reaping the most from its election win.

Fadnavis, the third time CM of Maharashtra

The two-time chief minister and a former deputy chief minister, Fadnavis is now all set to take the command of the highly politically active state.

Fadnavis will take oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister on Thursday, December 5, at Azad Maidan, while a wider Cabinet will come in only once the final power-sharing formula is decided.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many other Union Ministers and senior BJP leaders as well as 19 state chief ministers and deputy chief ministers are expected to attend the swearing in ceremony of the new Maharashtra Chief Minister. Around 2,000 VVIPs and 40,000 supporters are expected to be present at the event.