Maharashtra CM To Be From BJP, Two Deputies, Oath-Taking Likely On Dec 2 — What We Know So Far

Amid the ongoing speculations over the next Maharashtra Chief Minister, the leaders of the ruling Mahayuti are likely to meet the BJP top brass in New Delhi on Thursday.

The NDA is likely to follow the formula of one chief minister and two deputy CMs representing the three major ‘Mahayuti’ constituents in the new government, sources told news agency PTI.

After Eknath Shinde said that he is leaving the decision of choosing the next chief minister with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is likely that the top post will stay with the BJP, which emerged as the largest party in the recently-concluded Maharashtra assembly elections.

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Meanwhile, Mahayuti allies — Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — are expected to be given the post of two deputies. 

Eknath Shinde, in the press conference in Thane, said he assured PM Modi of abiding by whatever decision the BJP takes on choosing the next Maharashtra chief minister. Addressing a press conference at his house in Thane, Shinde said he will “fully support” BJP leadership’s decision to name the next CM, and won’t obstruct the process.

“I called PM Modi and Amit Shah yesterday and told them to decide (on who will be the CM post), and assured them that I will abide by whatever decision they take,” Shinde said. “Our Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP’s decision to name the next Maharashtra CM. There is no speed breaker from our side,” Shinde added. 

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The Shiv Sela leader’s declaration from his political turf Thane marks a significant step toward a smooth transition of power after the BJP-led ruling alliance achieved a stunning victory in the November 20 polls. 

Shinde, alongside his outgoing deputies Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, is expected to meet with Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss modalities of the government formation in the state.

Meanwhile, sources told ABP News that the oath-taking ceremony for the next Chief Minister will be held on December 2 at the Wankhede Stadium. The swearing-in ceremony will be attended by top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Chief Ministers and Deputy CMs of BJP-ruled states. 

With Shiv Sena leader Shinde clearing the decks for a BJP leader to succeed him, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is seen as a clear favourite for the top post. Shinde may swap his position with Fadnavis while Pawar will continue as one of the two deputy chief ministers, PTI sources said. 

Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, meanwhile, suggested that the selection of the Maharashtra cabinet will be done by the next Chief Minister after the name is finalised. Stressing on the unity within the Mahayuti coalition over the CM’s choice, Fadnavis said that the state cabinet will be finalised once a chief minister is decided.

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Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena MPs earlier in the day met Union Home Minister Amit Shah amid the deadlock over the CM choice. The meeting of Sena leaders with Shah in Delhi came even as Shinde held a press conference declaring that he would abide by the decision of the prime minister on the next CM. Shiv Sena MPs led by Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav, Ravindra Waikar, Sandipan Bhumare, Shrirang Appa Barne, Milind Deora, Dhairyasheel Mane and former Lok Sabha member Rahul Shewale met Shah in Parliament. Dhairyasheel Mane said the MPs thanked Shah for campaigning extensively for the elections and touring almost every district of the state. 

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance scripted a landslide win in the state assembly elections by winning 230 seats in the 288-member House. Recovering from its Lok Sabha election losses, the BJP bagged 132 constituencies followed by Sena with 57 seats and the NCP with 41 seats, as they decimated the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, inflicting on the Congress its worst-ever defeat in the state. In MVA, the Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 20 seats, Congress won 16, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP won 10 seats.