Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis Pay Homage to 26/11 Martyrs
Caretaker Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tribute to the martyrs of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks at the Mumbai Police Headquarters. Shinde and Fadnavis expressed their respect for those who sacrificed their lives during the tragic event.
Political Alliances and Support Letters
Devendra Fadnavis announced that he had received support from the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, Jansurajya Shakti Party, Yuva Swabhiman Paksh’s Ravi Rana, and two independent MLAs. This was confirmed through letters of support from these parties and individuals.
Leadership and Oath Taking Speculations
When questioned about the inclusion of NCP leader Ajit Pawar and himself in the upcoming swearing-in ceremony, Eknath Shinde responded, “Wait till evening…” NCP chief Ajit Pawar humorously retorted, saying, “Sham tak unka samaj aayega, I will take it (oath), I will not wait.” In response, Shinde remarked, “Dada (Ajit Pawar) has experience of taking (oath) both in the morning and evening.”
Swearing-In Ceremony Details
Devendra Fadnavis announced that the swearing-in ceremony for the new Maharashtra government would take place on December 5, 2024, at 5:30 PM at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. The ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fadnavis expressed pride in the achievements of the Mahayuti government over the last 2.5 years, citing significant decisions made under their leadership.
Ajit Pawar on Government Formation
After meeting with the Governor, NCP chief Ajit Pawar stated that they would work together to ensure the effective functioning of the state government. Pawar added that BJP’s Chandrashekhar Bawankule and NCP’s Sunil Tatkare would handle party activities.
Fadnavis Elected as BJP Legislative Party Leader
Devendra Fadnavis was unanimously elected as the leader of the Maharashtra BJP legislative party. Ashish Shelar, the newly appointed chief whip, described the day as a moment of celebration, likening it to Diwali for the party and its leaders.
Political Mandate and BJP’s Strong Position
Fadnavis, in his address, emphasized that the Maharashtra mandate was a clear message of support for the BJP-led government. He stated, “It’s a mandate to ‘ek hai to safe hai and Modi hai to mumkin hai’,” which translates to ‘one is safe, and with Modi, anything is possible’.
Union Ministers Weigh In on Political Landscape
Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister, criticized the previous Congress-led government for halting key infrastructure projects such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and Mumbai Metro car shed in Aarey Colony. The BJP’s success in Maharashtra was also seen as a sign of support for a ‘Developed India’ vision ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Shinde’s Role in the New Government
Reports suggest that Eknath Shinde, who had initially been reluctant, is expected to serve as the Deputy Chief Minister in the new Maharashtra government. After ongoing negotiations, Shinde is now believed to have agreed to join Fadnavis’s cabinet.
Key Developments in Government Formation
The Maharashtra BJP legislature party meeting concluded with the unanimous election of Fadnavis as the leader, setting the stage for his appointment as the next Chief Minister. The official swearing-in ceremony will take place on December 5 at Azad Maidan, with Fadnavis assuming office alongside other key officials.
Stay tuned for further developments regarding the Maharashtra government formation and the leadership decisions made in the coming days.
