GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 4th Dec. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a crucial legislature party meeting at Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday to elect its leader, who is likely to assume the role of the next Chief Minister in the new BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti government.
Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is widely viewed as the frontrunner for the top post. The leader chosen at the meeting is expected to meet the governor shortly after to stake a claim to form the government.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani have been appointed as central observers for the meeting. Rupani, who arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday evening, stated that the leader’s name would be finalised after consultations with the newly-elected MLAs.
The BJP emerged victorious in the November 20 elections, securing 132 out of 288 seats—its best performance in Maharashtra. With allies Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and NCP (led by Ajit Pawar), the Mahayuti coalition commands a robust majority of 230 seats.
Swearing-In Ceremony Preparations
Preparations are in full swing for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for December 5 at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers from various states are expected to attend the event, along with nearly 40,000 supporters. BJP leader Prasad Lad has called the event a “historic moment” for the state.
The ceremony will be broadcast live across Maharashtra on LED screens. However, discussions over cabinet portfolios remain contentious, with Shiv Sena leaders asserting their claim to the home portfolio.
Fadnavis Meets Shinde
On Tuesday, Fadnavis met caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his official residence, Varsha, for an hour-long discussion. While the details remain undisclosed, political observers speculate it was either an effort to placate the ally or a preliminary discussion regarding the upcoming government formation.
Shinde’s recent hospital visit for a health check-up further fueled speculation, but he dismissed concerns, stating, “My health is in good condition.”
As the Mahayuti moves closer to forming a new government, observers are keenly watching how the BJP navigates alliances and distributes key portfolios among its coalition partners.
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