Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde is set to take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra tomorrow at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, according to reports. BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of the state, marking the formation of the new government. In addition to Shinde, NCP leader Ajit Pawar will also take the oath as the second Deputy Chief Minister.
Earlier today, Fadnavis invited Shinde to join the new cabinet, expressing confidence that the Shiv Sena leader would be part of the government. “Yesterday, I met Eknath Shinde and informed him that it is the wish of Mahayuti workers that he should join us. I believe he will be with us, and together, we will fulfill the promises made to the people of Maharashtra,” Fadnavis stated.
When asked if he would take the oath tomorrow, Shinde indicated he would make a decision by evening. Despite previously seeking the Chief Minister’s position, Shinde has agreed to support Fadnavis as the BJP’s CM candidate after negotiations.
Shinde’s recent absence in Mumbai had fueled speculation of internal discord within the coalition. He had traveled to Thane for health reasons before returning to Mumbai on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Fadnavis was elected as the Leader of the Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party. He met Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake a claim to form the new Mahayuti government in the state. Fadnavis, Shinde, and Ajit Pawar were present at the meeting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony tomorrow at 5:30 pm. Fadnavis confirmed the event would proceed as planned, with further decisions on the oath-taking to be finalized in the evening.
Shinde also expressed his satisfaction with the previous tenure of the Mahayuti government, highlighting its achievements. “The work completed in the last two and a half years under the Mahayuti government is remarkable and will be remembered in history,” he said.
The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance secured a landslide victory in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections, winning a total of 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats.
