 "Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra party President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, NCP chief Ajit Pawar and party leader Praful Patel during a press conference, at Governor house in Mumbai, December 4, 2024. PTI")
Maharashtra is set to get its new chief minister today (December 5) as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis takes oath for a third time. His swearing-in ceremony will be held at a grand ceremony in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan in the evening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers and chief ministers of states will mark their presence at the event. Along with Fadnavis, two deputy CMs are also expected to take oath.
Let’s take a closer look.
Eknath Shinde may take oath
Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde has reportedly agreed to take oath as Maharashtra deputy CM in the new Mahayuti government.
This is a major shift from his reported earlier stance of being hesitant to work under Fadnavis after serving as the CM for two years.
As per a Times of India (TOI) report, CM-designate Fadnavis visited Varsha, the official residence of Maharashtra chief minister, on Wednesday (December 4) to convince the Shiv Sena chief to join the government as deputy CM. Sources told the newspaper that Shinde has agreed to take the oath, given the portfolio allocation would be “fair”.
The Wednesday meeting between the two leaders, the second day in a row, lasted for over 30 minutes. The power-sharing formula also came up in the meeting.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has already confirmed he will take oath as deputy CM.
On Wednesday, Shinde backed Fadnavis as the new Maharashtra CM.
“We have staked claim to form the government, oath-taking will happen on Thursday. Two-and-a-half years back, Devendra Fadnavis said I should be CM; today, I am backing him for the same. We will give full support to the decision taken by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah,” he told the media.
Who will get what?
Shinde is keen on getting the home portfolio, which the BJP is unwilling to part with.
Sources told News18 that discussions between the three Mahayuti partners — BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP – over portfolio distribution are complete.
The BJP has picked candidates for the Cabinet, while its alliance partners are yet to give their respective list of ministers.
As per an India Today report, the BJP could retain about 22 ministries, including key departments like home and revenue. The party is also likely to keep Maharashtra Assembly Speaker and Legislative Council Chairman positions.
The Shiv Sena, which wanted 16 ministries, could settle for 12. Shinde’s party is demanding the key portfolio of Urban Development. It is also seeking the portfolios of energy, revenue, irrigation and Public Works Department (PWD), as per TOI.
“We are willing to concede some of the ministries as certain other things have been brought to the table. So we are still asking for the home portfolio and other key portfolios. Shinde is joining govt, but portfolio allocation will happen after that. It is not the case that we have given up the home portfolio,” a Shiv Sena functionary told the newspaper.
Shiv Sena is also seeking the post of the Chairman of the Legislative Council, reported India Today.
Ajit Pawar’s NCP may get nine to 10 ministerial berths, including finance. It could also bag the Deputy Speaker post, as per India Today.
Other portfolios for the NCP include cooperation, agriculture, food and civil supplies, ports, relief and rehabilitation, irrigation, social justice, and women and child development, reported TOI.
As per the newspaper, the Shiv Sena functionary has said that only the CM and his two deputies will take oath on Thursday. The decision on the wider Cabinet will be taken after the government formation.
A News18 report says the BJP top brass has taken a call on portfolio allocation for the Mahayuti partners during a meeting with the three parties’ leaders in Delhi.
Maha’s prep for oath-taking ceremony
Maharashtra is geared up for the swearing-in ceremony of its new CM.
Over 4,000 police personnel will be stationed for security during the ceremony, an official told PTI.
Besides politicians, leaders from various religions are expected to attend the oath-taking.
A seating arrangement has been made to accommodate 2,000 VVIPs and a separate arrangement has been made for 40,000 BJP supporters.
With inputs from agencies