MUMBAI – In a significant political development, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis is set to assume the role of Maharashtra Chief Minister for a historic third term, with the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan.
The BJP leadership’s decision comes after weeks of intense speculation and political maneuvering following the Mahayuti alliance’s commanding victory in the state polls, where they secured 230 out of 288 Assembly seats.
The announcement marks the end of Eknath Shinde’s tenure as Chief Minister, who publicly stated he would respect any decision made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The BJP, having won 132 out of its contested 148 seats, maintained its stance on claiming the top position in the state government.
“I won’t be an obstacle in government formation,” Shinde had stated earlier, effectively clearing the path for Fadnavis’s appointment.
The power-sharing arrangement reflects the BJP’s dominant position in the alliance, with the party requiring support from just one ally to maintain a majority in the Assembly. Sources indicate that the National Congress Party (NCP) has already pledged its support to the new government.
Fadnavis is expected to meet with Governor CP Radhakrishnan today to formally stake his claim to form the government. The move sets the stage for a new chapter in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with the BJP firmly at the helm of the state’s administration.
The transition comes amid preparations for an elaborate oath-taking ceremony at Azad Maidan, marking the beginning of Fadnavis’s third term as the state’s chief executive.
